Tobacco companies spend approximately 90% of their marketing dollars on point-of-sale promotion and price discounts. They invest billions at the point-of-sale because they know this type of marketing attracts the form of new, young customers who, because of the powerful addictive properties of nicotine, are likely to be life-long tobacco users.
According to the Surgeon General’s 2012 report:
- Tobacco use is a “pediatric epidemic”.
- Tobacco marketing in stores is a primary cause of youth smoking.
- Each day across the United States over 3,800 youth under 18 years of age start smoking.
- Among adults who become daily smokers, nearly all first use of cigarettes occurs by 18 years of age (88%), with 99% of first use by 26 years of age.
- Exposing the developing brain to nicotine has been shown to alter its structure and function in a way that introduces long-lasting vulnerability for addiction to nicotine and other substances of abuse.
- Most young smokers become adult smokers. One half of adult smokers die prematurely from tobacco-related diseases.
Policy as a Solution
To protect our children, and support adults who want to end their addiction to nicotine and quit using tobacco, our state must reduce exposure to in-store tobacco marketing. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and repeated exposure to tobacco marketing creates curiosity among impressionable youth and unnecessary triggers for those trying to quit.
Policy options available to protect youth and support adults include:
- Requiring tobacco products be kept out of customer view
- Restricting the number, type, and location of Tobacco Retailers
- Reduce density – number of tobacco retailers
- Restrict tobacco retailing within proximity of schools
- Restrict Product Flavors
- Restrict the availability of all flavored products, both conventional and electronic, to remove menthol, mint, and child-friendly flavors, such as fruit or candy
With the new school year right around the corner, it is important to recognize vape prevention measures to take within schools. Talking about the issue of vaping is a crucial step when it comes to education and prevention.
#dothevapetalk ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Today our Community Engagement Coordinator and Reality Check Coordinator are at the Sodus Farmers Market to help promote TACFL’s initiatives to the community. Spreading the word on the harms of second hand smoke and how we can help the Finger Lakes become a healthier community for all! The Sodus Market is doing their part and signed a tobacco free policy with us a years ago to help reduce second hand smoke at their weekly market! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
When it comes to electronic vape devices, and tobacco products in general, there are still many myths that continue to circulate. Vape devices entered the market in 2007 and started to become very popular in 2014 within the United States. At that time vapes were thought to be "healthier" than traditional combustible cigarettes. Over the last decade more of these myths have been debunked, and it is so important that they continue to be debunked, and to shed some light on the true facts revolving vape devices.
#tobaccofree
#tobaccofreeny
#facts ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook