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Meeting on youth smoking criticized By Vicki Guarino An Oregon Attorney General�s forum today on youth smoking is raising concerns because of a featured presenter: tobacco industry giant Philip Morris. Company representatives have reserved a 20-minute period at the start of a state Department of Justice "Kids and Tobacco" forum. The session will be from 3 to 5 p.m. at Hedrick Middle School multipurpose room, 1501 E. Jackson St., Medford. Anti-tobacco groups also will make presentations, and a public response period is scheduled at the end of the session. A spokesman for Attorney General Hardy Myers promised Wednesday that Myers and his panel will keep the session open as long as necessary to hear everyone. Pete Shepherd said public opportunity to speak would not be curtailed because of time given Philip Morris. Nonetheless, local participants in youth anti-tobacco programs have questioned whether the cigarette maker�s presence is appropriate. "There have been plenty of questions about it, I�ll tell you that," said Kaaren Borsting, co-chair of Tobacco Free Jackson County. A Grants Pass anti-tobacco activist has been more strident, asking that Philip Morris be taken off the agenda. Linda Renfer e-mailed the Attorney General�s office complaining that Philip Morris should "not be allowed to use the Medford meeting for its own use... It is especially repugnant to consider drug-pushers being allowed on school grounds." The criticism could turn the Medford forum into a sharper debate on youth and tobacco than occurred at previous sessions around the state, Shepherd said. "I imagine Philip Morris will face some tough questioning," Shepherd said. The Medford session will be the third of six around Oregon scheduled by Myers and his committee. The committee formed in March to find ways to reduce tobacco consumption by minors. Tobacco use poses an immediate health risk to youngsters, medical experts agree, and long-term danger by causing addiction at an early age. Organizations such as Tobacco Free Jackson County have been working with students to make them aware of both the health dangers and the advertising campaigns and promotions that lure young people to cigarettes. "Tobacco companies rely on youth�s view of tobacco use as a rebellious right of passage to adulthood in order to addict them to cigarettes," said Borsting. During today�s forum, Philip Morris representatives are expected to respond to concerns that cigarette makers target youth in their advertising, Shepherd said. The time slot was requested by Philip Morris. Initially, the company asked to have a representative be appointed by Myers to the committee. "We didn�t think that was appropriate," Shepherd said. The committee includes health professionals, agency workers and retail trades representatives. After Myers turned down the company�s request, Philip Morris then asked for time before the committee � as any other citizen would receive. Shepherd said the department decided it would be worthwhile for the committee to hear the industry�s views on the issue. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA