Who profits from tobacco sales to children?

Article Abstract:

Because many individuals start to smoke early in life, tobacco addiction can be viewed as a childhood disease. One study indicated that 13 years is the average age that cigarette use begins. Although there are laws that prohibit the possession of tobacco by children and the sale of tobacco to minors, these laws have proven to be ineffective. In this study, the scope of tobacco use by children was assessed by estimating the amount of tobacco purchased by young people, along with the profit that is realized by these sales. Also, some methods to control tobacco use and to enforce the law against the sale of tobacco to children are suggested. There are approximately three million children in this country under the age of 18 who consume tobacco. Although the sale of tobacco is illegal in 43 states and the District of Columbia, cigarette sales to children continue to account for over $1.23 billion each year. This represents three percent of the annual profits of the tobacco industry. The taxes derived from the sale of cigarettes by the federal government are estimated to be $152 million annually, and $173 million a year goes to state governments. These sums far exceed the amount spent by the government on smoking and health. Some measures that have been taken by some communities to deter tobacco use among children include making sale of tobacco to minors a civil offense, rather than a criminal offense, which may make the law more enforceable; imposing monetary penalties such as fines; licensing tobacco vendors, with the threat of license revocation for violations; and restricting or banning the use of cigarette vending machines. It is unfortunate that the government's recent 'war on drugs' has not included tobacco use. More government involvement is needed for enforcement to help reduce and restrict the use of this potentially lethal drug. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Economic aspects, Smoking and youth, Youth smoking, Tobacco industry

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The Surgeon General's warnings in outdoor cigarette advertizing: are they readable?

Article Abstract:

Federal law requires cigarette companies to display conspicuously in advertisements and on cigarette packages one of four health warnings from the Surgeon General regarding the health risks of smoking cigarettes. The ability to read such warnings on two outdoor media, billboards and advertisements on taxicabs, was investigated. On street billboards, 46 percent of the warning captions were readable, while on highway billboards, the readability dropped to 5 percent. However, the brand name and other notable images contained in the advertisement could be recognized more than 95 percent of the time. Observers of 100 taxicab advertisements were unable to read the Surgeon General's health warning in any of them, although brand name and notable imagery were identified in 95 percent of the ads. Factors influencing the inability to read outdoor advertisements included the size of the letters, the length of the health message, and the distance and movement between the ads and the observer. It is concluded that the legally mandated health warning is unreadable in a majority of current forms used in billboard and taxicab advertisements.

Advertising, Cigarettes, Outdoor advertising

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State coalitions for prevention and control of tobacco use

Article Abstract:

By the end of 1989, 47 states had organized state coalitions for the prevention and control of tobacco use. Three of the state coalitions address chronic respiratory diseases in addition to the issue of prevention and control. The coalitions include state health officials, professional health and hospital administrative personnel, and members of the community. Activities of the coalitions were directed at education and information, lobbying for antitobacco legislation, educating health-care professionals, implementing plans for tobacco control, and research. The United States Centers for the Disease Control comments that direct community action is required if the US is to reach its stated goal of a smoke-free society by the year 2000. State coalitions are encouraged to develop measurable goals that lead to the support of this national purpose. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social policy, Tobacco, United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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