Oregon's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) was launched in 1997 with a clear and simple mandate — to reduce tobacco-related illness and death. Since its inception, TPEP has been a comprehensive program, addressing the issues of tobacco use and Oregon's anti-tobacco efforts are saving lives and money.

Each year in Oregon, tobacco use kills nearly 7,000 people. It claims more lives than motor vehicle crashes, suicide, AIDS, and murders combined. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Oregon and the nation.

Tobacco use costs Oregonians almost $2.4 billion annually - a staggering financial burden - of particular concern at a time of serious economic difficulties in the state.

As a state, we simply cannot afford tobacco. Read the complete Oregon Statewide Tobacco Control Plan.