Tobacco ads should stop targeting teens

Wouldn’t it be great if youth could live in a tobacco-free society? As an upcoming sophomore at Johnstown High School and as a Reality Check member, we encourage peers and community members to understand the influence that the tobacco companies have over youth.

Youth near my school walk to and from school located near convenient stores that have tobacco advertising. It is illegal for youth under 18 to purchase cigarettes, yet youth are targeted to by tobacco advertising tactics in and around these stores. Cigarette advertising is enabling tobacco companies to increase sales, which in turn leaves youth with a lifelong and deadly addiction.

Kids recall most tobacco advertising and almost every licensed tobacco retailer displays interior cigarette marketing, with an average of 18 per store. Tobacco companies place most of their advertising in convenience stores, where 75 percent of teenagers shop at least once a week. Please help Reality Check by going to www.realitycheckhfm.com and sign the petition to limit the amount of tobacco retailer’s licenses in our communities.

CODY ARMINIO
Johnstown