The Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) released a new report that reveals Oregonians are smoking fewer cigarettes. Oregon now has the lowest number of smokers since the program began in 1996. The report highlights successes and reviews the toll tobacco continues to take on Oregonians with 22 percent of all Oregon deaths attributable to tobacco use. "This is encouraging news, especially as the state is dealing with a new strain of seasonal flu," says Dr. Mel Kohn, head of the Public Health Division for Oregon. "Smokers are much more vulnerable to the H1N1 swine flu and all other forms of influenza. The wise investments we have made in tobacco prevention are going to help keep people safer."