Tobacco & Nicotine [1]
In Oregon it is illegal for anyone under 21 years old to buy or use tobacco.
Tobacco is a plant that is grown to make cigars, cigarettes, hookah, and chewing & smokeless tobacco.
Tobacco has in it a chemical called nicotine. Nicotine is what makes tobacco products addictive. When nicotine enters the body, it makes the brain release dopamine which creates pleasure feelings. Because of this, people can get hooked on tobacco products.
Nicotine is also found in e-cigarettes and vape products. E-cigarettes/vape do not contain actual tobacco, but they are still just as addictive as tobacco products.
Using cigarettes, hookah, chew, vape, and all nicotine/tobacco products release many other toxic chemicals. These chemicals cause cancer and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, and other diseases.
Secondhand smoke is the smoke released into the air when using cigars, cigarettes, vape, etc.
Secondhand smoke carries the same toxic chemicals into other people's lungs, even if they are not smoking.
Source: [1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. "Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products." 2018.
Video Source: David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA. "Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping." 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dZS_Rniak0.
How to Quit
Want to quit smoking or help someone who is trying to quit?
Please feel free to reach out to your Hood River County/Columbia Gorge Region Tobacco Prevention Specialists!
You can also check out these online resources:
Oregon Tobacco Quit Line with resources for how to stop smoking
OR CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
North Central Public Health Tobacco Treatment Program
Tobacco Treatment resources available for Wasco and Hood River County residents
Program for quitting with support by text and an online/social media community
Tips and support to quit smoking or vaping from the Mayo Clinic
Oregon Health Authority: Cessation
Information about quitting smoking from the Oregon Health Authority
State-wide project to reduce smoking and secondhand smoke
(Smokefree Oregon videos below)
Columbia Gorge Region:
Kirah Doerr
541-506-2690
Hood River County:
Ross McLeod
541-387-7030
If you have a complaint about someone smoking or vaping, you can report it to the Oregon Health Authority here.
