Read the Report.
As Oregon
voters fill out their ballots, a new analysis highlights the health care cost
savings and health benefits of reduced youth smoking, as well as the health
benefits of expanded access to health care.
“Measure 50 is a win-win scenario for Oregon families. It provides real benefits in terms of health
outcomes for OregonOregon
kids from taking up smoking, and for all Oregonians it lowers the costs
associated with tobacco use,” said Matt Wallace, OSPIRG Consumer
Associate. “OSPIRG urges a yes vote on
Measure 50” kids, it protects
thousands of
The new report, The Value of Healthy Kids, examines the
impacts of the policies in Measure 50 from improved access to health care and
reducing youth tobacco use. Among the
key findings of the report:
• Due to
reduced youth smoking levels with the increased tobacco tax, Oregon will ultimately save an estimated
$43.7 million for every year projected reductions are maintained.
• Due to the
measure's investment in tobacco prevention and education programs, Oregon
will ultimately save at least $29.2
million for every year this investment is maintained.
• Each year,
2,730 Oregon
children will not take up smoking, ultimately saving 874 of them from premature death due to tobacco use.
“With the tobacco industry spending record breaking sums on
misleading ad campaigns, it’s important to highlight the real world benefits of
passing Measure 50,” said Dr. Megan Neuman, Pediatrician at Legacy Emanuel
Children’s Hospital. “The fact is that
providing access to affordable health care to 100,000 uninsured children in
Oregon through increasing tobacco taxes will not only improve children’s
health, it will reduce Oregon’s long term health care costs.”
Oregon State Public Interest Research
Group (OSPIRG) is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy
organization
