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Benton County joins public‑health push to restrict flavored tobacco sales
Summary
The Board adopted resolution R2024‑022 expressing county support for restrictions on flavored tobacco products to reduce youth nicotine initiation; Health Department staff highlighted youth use data and urged county backing of likely state legislation.
Benton County Health Department staff presented a resolution asking the board to support restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco to curb youth nicotine addiction. Andy Chouinard, the county’s tobacco‑prevention coordinator, summarized youth use data and said flavored products are marketed to young people in appealing flavors.
Chouinard said statewide legislative action to ban flavored tobacco sales is expected in 2025 and that local and regional endorsements could help build momentum for state action. The board voted to adopt resolution R2024‑022 by voice vote.
Ending: County staff said the resolution is intended as a local statement of support and that any state legislative action will proceed through the Oregon Legislature; the board’s resolution does not itself change local retail licensing rules.
