State should limit tobacco licenses to retailers

The New York Tobacco Control Program envisions a tobacco-free society for all New Yorkers. One of its priorities is to prevent the initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults. However, tobacco products are readily available to young people 18 and under in communities across New York state.

In New York state alone, there is one licensed tobacco retailer for every 194 children under the age 18. The more licensed tobacco retailers there are, the greater the access for young people, and the more likely they are to obtain and use tobacco products. In 2008, one in 12 New York tobacco retailers were caught selling tobacco products to minors during annual compliance checks.

The number of licensed tobacco retailers in a community or neighborhood affects youth smoking behaviors and access to tobacco products. Greater concentration of tobacco retailers is associated with illegal cigarette purchases by young people and higher rates of youth smoking prevalence. Studies show that reducing the number of licensed tobacco retailers in a community is a viable policy for preventing youth smoking and also reduces sales to minors.

We need to take a stand to get the tobacco industry out of our communities and make the health and well being of our youth the priority. The sooner, the better!

Sarah Kraemer
Johnstown

The writer is program coordinator for Reality Check for Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery counties.