COOS BAY, Ore. - The grandson of the founder of the
RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. was in Oregon last week to tell
high school students that smoking is bad for them.
Patrick J. Reynolds has established his own
organization, called the Foundation for a Smokefree
America.
Last week he was in Coos Bay to encourage Oregon
students to avoid tobacco.
According to the Web
site, the percentage of Oregon high school students
who smoke is higher than adults. And the estimate on
annual health care costs directly caused by smoking is
more than $1.1 billion.
Patrick Reynolds criticized state efforts to
discourage smoking. He said Oregon ranks only 35th in
funding for tobacco prevention programs, despite more
than $307 million a year from the tobacco industry
lawsuit settlement with the states.
10/10/2006
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