Download: Sampling Ban of Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products (PDF)

Oregon is a popular market for tobacco product introductions and sampling.

Between Washington state’s sampling ban and California’s low tobacco use rates, Portland and Oregon are attractive tobacco test markets. Portland was one of two Snus test markets in the U.S. in 2006, and new dissolvable products are being tested here now.

Tobacco samples target youth.

Tobacco companies distribute free samples to recruit new and younger tobacco users. Companies covered under the Master Settlement Act are restricted from distributing tobacco products in areas where youth are present, but others are not.

In rural Oregon, free samples of chewing tobacco are distributed at family events such as rodeos and fairs.

New smokeless products directly target youth. For example, Camel’s Snus—heavily sampled in Portland—comes in a cell phone-shaped container that’s easy to conceal at school. Dissolvable “orbs” resemble mints and come in an Altoids-style tin.

Mini-cigars come in chocolate mint, grape, peach and tangerine flavors.

Cigarette sampling is not covered by this ban but provides a preview of how other products might be marketed. Free cigarettes are routinely distributed at youth-oriented bars, on college campuses and at concert venues.

Children and young adults who start using tobacco often become addicted for life.

Forty-eight children smoke their first cigarette every day in Oregon. A year later, 20 will still be smoking. Ninety percent of current adult smokers in Oregon started smoking before they turned 18 years old.

The earlier a child begins to use tobacco, the higher his or her risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.

Young tobacco users face an increased risk of dental problems, including tooth decay and gum disease.

Banning sampling is an effective way to keep kids from using tobacco.

In 2004 Pendleton banned free distribution of tobacco products after years of chewing tobacco samples at the Pendleton Roundup. This ban significantly decreased youth access to tobacco.

As tobacco companies respond to smokefree laws with many new smokeless products, Oregon can proactively reduce future marketing and sampling.

The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages sampling bans.