Tomorrow’s Potential
Customer:
Youth Tobacco Use
Traci Kennedy
Director - Tobacco Free Missouri
S
• Statewide coalition of advocates
• Become a member today!
o Fill out a membership form
o Visit: www.tobaccofreemo.org
o Like us on Facebook
o Follow us on Twitter
Missouri By the Numbers
8,000 Kids who become new smokers each year
18%
Missouri High School Students Smoke
11th
Highest smoking rate in the nation
$349
Million spent by the tobacco industry annually
$2.13
Billion in healthcare costs related to smoking
Source : CTFK
WHY?
• Even armed with knowledge why do young people
continue to smoke?
o
o
o
o
INDUSTRY ADVERTISING
Lack of comprehensive smokefree policies
LOWEST tax in the nation
Lack of investment of MSA $$$ to prevention & education
FACT: MORE THAN 80% OF ADULT SMOKERS
STARTED BEFORE AGE 18
Target Marketing
The tobacco industry spends
annually in Missouri
$300 million
o Studies show heavy ads in magazines and stores
where youth frequent
o Increased marketing in/around convenience stores
Emerging Trends
• eCigarettes
• Cigars, Cigarillos, Blunts
• Smokeless & Spitless
• Hookah
E-Cigarettes
• Vaporize solution containing
nicotine
• Available in various
flavors
• Used by 7% of current
smokers
• FDA study tested and found
toxic chemicals
• More than 70% of smokers
believe e-cigs are less toxic
than traditional cigarettes
Cigars, Cigarillos, Blunts
• Cigars = broad
definition, NOT
regulated by the FDA*
• Come in a variety of
flavors
• Common brands:
Swisher Sweets,
Black & Mild, Phillies,
White Owl
Smokeless &
Spitless
Hookah
• Water pipe used to smoke
shisha
• Increased use by college
aged youth
• Cultural practice with
roots in the middle-East
• Social smoking in bars
and clubs
Keep in mind..
• Important to consider these products when working
on smoke-free community policies!
• Difficulty with enforcement
• Need to protect children
• Misperception that these products are LESS
harmful than cigarettes
Hope for a tobacco free generation!
• FDA Regulation:
• Restricted marketing to youth
• Disclosure of ingredients
• Regulates reduced harm claims to prevent misleading the public
(light & low-tar)
• Requires bigger, bolder health warnings
• Missouri Youth Access laws:
• Tobacco MUST be behind the counter
• Unlawful to sell to minors
• Active Group of Missouri Youth!
Approaches to Use Reduction
• Increase the Price
• Implement smokefree policies
• Tobacco prevention and cessation
Questions?
Contact:
Traci Kennedy
info@tobaccofreemissouri.org
Visit:
www.tobaccofreemo.org