Multnomah County’s ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products is set to go into effect on Jan. 1 after surviving a court challenge.
Last week, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Souede denied a request by the tobacco industry to halt enforcement of the county ordinance. The decision likely paves the way for Oregon’s largest county to become the first in the state to ban flavored tobacco.
County officials banned the products to deter young people from smoking and vaping: They often start with flavored products and then get addicted to nicotine. That can lead to a lifelong habit and heart and lung problems. In pushing for the ordinance, public health officials pointed to the prevalence of tobacco flavors such as chocolate, candy, fruit, honey and other products, which they say are designed to lure the next generation of tobacco users into the habit.
Nearly 8,000 Oregonians die every year from tobacco-related illnesses, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
Earlier this year in Salem, state lawmakers considered House Bill 3090, which would have enacted a similar ban statewide. It had the support of one Republican lawmaker, Sen. Bill Hansell of Athena, and two Portland physicians, Rep. Lisa Reynolds and Sen. Elizabeth Steiner. It passed out of the House health care committee on a party line vote, with Democrats in favor and Republicans against, but died in the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
