NEWS RELEASE
TO:Eastern U.P. Media
FROM:Julie K.O. Trotter, Tobacco-Free Projects Coordinator
ChippewaCounty Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition Coordinator
SUBJECT:Tobacco Retailer Education Initiative in Progress
CONTACT:Julie K.O. Trotter, 635-3636
DATE:June 17, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
It is well known that tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death and disease in Michigan and that the majority of people who use tobacco start prior to the age of 18. It is also known that the earlier a person starts using tobacco, the more difficult it is to quit. For these reasons, the Department of Community Health/Office of Drug Control Policy and Pathways/NorthCare Network Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency is partnering with health departments across the State in the Tobacco Retailer Education Initiative. Tobacco Reduction and Prevention Coordinators are talking with a percentage of owners and managers of tobacco retail stores about the Youth Tobacco Act (YTA) and the potential cost for selling tobacco to minors, tips for employee training, placement of tobacco products and YTA signage – a yearly strategy to prevent tobacco sales to minors.
According to a recent State survey, one in four high school aged children in the state has used tobacco products in the past 30 days. The rate while high has dropped nearly every year for the past decade. One reason for this decline is that cigarettes are getting more difficult for youth to obtain. “However, if we do not continue our tobacco education and Synar compliance efforts and the annual compliance rates rise to over 20%, we stand to lose significant substance abuse treatment and prevention funding”, indicates Merrilee Keller, NorthCare Network Prevention Coordinator. “It’s all about keeping our youth healthy so that they may live to their full potential” says Ms. Keller.
The Youth Tobacco Act states that it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. It is also illegal for anyone under 18 to purchase tobacco products.
Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in our society. Each year thousands of teens become addicted to tobacco. The short-term goal of this project is to determine how many retailers are illegally selling tobacco to minors. The long-term goal is to create awareness of the youth tobacco use problem and reduce the sales of tobacco to minors, therefore preventing some of our children from beginning a lifetime addiction to tobacco.
As of July 1, 2003, Michigan began issuing a vertical driver’s license to young people under the age of 21. The distinctive shape of the new vertical driver’s license instantly alerts retailers that the cardholder is not of legal age to purchase alcohol or tobacco.
Julie Trotter of the Chippewa County Health Department comments, "We are pleased that most retailers take their responsibility seriously and make sure they do their part in insuring that our young people do not have easy access to alcohol or tobacco."
For more information about the Youth Tobacco Act, please contact the Michigan Department of Community Health at 517 335-8386 or the Chippewa Co Health Department at 635-3636. Tobacco retailer education kits, which include the Youth Tobacco Act required signage, are available by calling the MichiganResourceCenter at 1 800 537 5666.
Attachment 1:
The new vertical driver’s license clearly indicates the legal age to purchase tobacco and alcohol. The distinctive shape of the vertical driver’s license should also alert retailers that the cardholder is not of legal age to purchase alcohol or tobacco.
Attachment 2:
It is required by law to post a copy of the Youth Tobacco Act (YTA) sign in a conspicuous location, such as on store doors, cash registers, and wherever tobacco products are displayed.