Oregon Public Broadcasting

A new report suggests that fewer Oregonians are using tobacco than in recent years.

Oregon's Public Health Division tracks cigarette sales. Based on those figures, Jim Sellars with the Department of Human Services says it appears per-pack consumption is down almost ten percent this year.

Jim Sellars   "It was about 55 packs per person per year. It's now down to about 50. Ten percent decrease. But there are still a lot of people smoking in the state of Oregon. Seventeen percent of Oregonians smoke."

Sellars says smoking-related illness remains a factor in 22 percent of Oregon's deaths.

He says a number of factors contributed to the smoking reduction. The price of cigarettes may be prohibitive to some. More people are aware of the dangers associated with it.