Prevention of Youth Initiation of Tobacco Use: Community

Policy Objective: Prevention of Youth Initiation of Tobacco Use

Setting: Community

Below, you will see a list of goals for this policy objective. Click on the specific goal to read strategies you can use to achieve that goal in this setting.

Media and Advertising Restrictions

Protect children in your community from tobacco imagery in theatrical productions

Ask community playhouses, theater groups or theaters to not portray tobacco use in their productions, or else portray the tobacco use only in a historically accurate depiction, or to reflect the negative consequences of tobacco use. If you are told that the tobacco use must remain part of the production, ask that a warning be given at the ticket counter to warn that the show will contain depictions of tobacco use so that parents can make informed decisions. Consider also writing letters to the editor in your local newspaper to inform others of the issue.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
National Academy of Medicine report– Ending the Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation, 2007- Recommendations 37-38
Surgeon General report– Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults, 2012- page 602
Surgeon General report– Reducing Tobacco Use, 2000- pages 20-21
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services– Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan for the US Department of Health and Human Services- Strategic Action 2
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention E

For more information:

AAP Julius B Richmond Center– Smoke-free Movies and Media
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review, July 15, 2011– Smoking in Top-Grossing Movies-- United States, 2010
President’s Cancer Panel Annual Report, 2006-2007– Part 3: Reducing Cancer Risk by Eliminating Exposure to Tobacco Use and Exposure- pages 88-90, 114
Smoke Free Movies

Support and/or participate in grassroots promotions, local media advocacy, event sponsorships and other community tie-ins to support and reinforce the state-wide campaigns and counter pro-tobacco influences

Initiation of tobacco use is often brought about by exposure to tobacco use by parents or peers, and tobacco use depiction in movies and other types of media. Adults and youth continue to be heavily targeted and exposed to images of smoking in the movies and other mass media. Effective counter-marketing messages that are culturally relevant, must be coordinated and implemented by statewide and community level programs to change the cultural norm. Effective messaging should be applicable to all audiences, bridging the gap between race, gender, sexual orientation and social group.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- page 31
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
Surgeon General report– Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults, 2012- pages 602, 812

For more information:

AAP Julius B Richmond Center– Solving the Puzzle: A Guide to Pediatric Tobacco Control- Community
AAP Julius B Richmond Center– Tobacco Control and Specific Populations
AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Control Funding
AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
CDC– Designing and Implementing an Effective Tobacco Counter-Marketing Campaign
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)– The Real Cost
Institute for Global Tobacco Control– The MPOWER framework and United Nations human rights treaties: An additional argument for the promotion of tobacco control goals
Knock Tobacco Out of the Park

Point of Purchase Advertising Restrictions

Partner with public health practitioners and/or policymakers and retailer associations to decrease point of purchase advertising geared towards adolescents

The promotional distribution of tobacco products should be prohibited at all point of purchase areas. No form of advertising and media, especially advertising and media aimed at children, adolescents and young adults, should contain messages that promote tobacco use, images of tobacco or any tobacco product use (including smokeless tobacco, hookah and/or electronic nicotine delivery systems). No images should be at eye-level of children and adolescents, since these serve as a mode of temptation that can lead to youth initiation. Partnering with existing coalitions, policymakers and retailer associations can help strengthen the message that point of purchase advertising geared towards adolescents is not acceptable in the community.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- page 22
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention E

For more information

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Trends in Tobacco Industry Marketing
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review, March 8, 2002– Point of Purchase Tobacco Environments and Variation by Store Type--United States, 1999
Counter Tobacco– Restricting Tobacco Advertising and Promotions
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Policy Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide

Support the elimination or restriction of point of purchase advertisements

The promotional placement of tobacco and/or electronic nicotine delivery system product advertising should be prohibited at all point of purchase areas. No form of advertising and media, especially advertising and media aimed at children, adolescents and young adults, should contain messages that promote tobacco use or images of tobacco or tobacco use. No images should be at eye-level of children and adolescents, since these serve as a mode of temptation that can lead to youth initiation. Encourage retailers to adhere to text-only informational displays with black text on a white background. Encourage retailers carrying tobacco products to display and distribute warnings about the health consequences of tobacco use and cessation services.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- page 22
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention E

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Trends in Tobacco Industry Marketing
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review, March 8, 2002– Point of Purchase Tobacco Environments and Variation by Store Type--United States, 1999
Counter Tobacco– Restricting Tobacco Advertising and Promotions
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Point-of-Sale Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Policy Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide

Countering Industry Messaging

Partner with youth-based organizations to implement counter-marketing advertising campaigns that are culturally relevant and contain salient imagery

Initiation of tobacco use is often brought about by exposure to tobacco use by parents or peers, depiction in movies and other media. Adults and youth continue to be heavily targeted and exposed to images of tobacco use in the movies and other mass media. Effective counter-marketing messages that are culturally relevant must be coordinated and implemented by statewide and community level programs to change the cultural norm. Effective messaging should be applicable to all audiences, bridging the gap between race, gender, sexual orientation and social group.

Tobacco use prevalence declines when adequately funded mass-media counter-marketing campaigns are combined with other strategies in multi-component tobacco control programs. Counter-advertising media campaign can be effective in increasing negative beliefs and attitudes about the tobacco industry and lead to lower levels of youth smoking initiation. The images used in tobacco marketing associate tobacco use with lifestyles and experiences that appeal to young people, and these positive associations tend to mask risk information in adolescent decision-making. The evidence shows that youth exposure to images that create a positive association with smoking is also associated with a likelihood of tobacco use initiation.

Warning: The tobacco industry is well-known for its effective marketing schemes and hidden-meaning campaigns. The industry frequently releases youth prevention and adult cessation programs that appear to be benign, but have been shown to do more harm than good. Be aware of these programs when looking to take action on this recommendation.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- pages 31, 50
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
National Academy of Medicine report– Ending the Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation, 2007- Recommendations 15 and 16
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
Surgeon General report– Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults, 2012- pages 602, 812
Surgeon General report– Reducing Tobacco Use, 2000- page 85
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services– Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan for the US Department of Health and Human Services- Strategic Action 2
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention W

For more information:

AAP Julius B Richmond Center– Tobacco Control and Specific Populations
AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Control Funding
AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
California Youth Advocacy Network
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Kick Butts Day
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
CDC– Tips from Former Smokers campaign
Institute for Global Tobacco Control– The MPOWER framework and United Nations human rights treaties: An additional argument for the promotion of tobacco control goals

For more information about tobacco industry tactics:

Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights– Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Big Surprise: Tobacco Company Prevention Campaigns Don’t Work; Maybe It’s Because They Are Not Supposed To
The Rise and Fall of Tobacco Media Campaigns, 1967-2006

Evidence-Based Pricing Strategies

Support the increase of tobacco product excise taxes

Raising taxes has been shown to deter the purchase and use of tobacco, prompt cessation attempts, and decrease youth initiation. In turn, revenue from these taxes can be used to support evidence-based tobacco control programs in the community and state to prevent youth initiation, secondhand smoke exposure and decrease the prevalence of tobacco use. States with excise tobacco product tax rates below the level imposed by the top quintile of states should substantially increase their rates to reduce consumption, smuggling and tax evasion. All tobacco products should be taxed the same, including smokeless tobacco, hookah, cigars and electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
National Academy of Medicine report– Ending the Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation, 2007- Recommendations 1, 2, and 3
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
Surgeon General report– Reducing Tobacco Use, 2000- page 654
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention R

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Control Funding
AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Raising Cigarette Taxes Reduces Smoking, Especially Among Kids (AND THE CIGARETTE COMPANIES KNOW IT)
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Tobacco Tax Increases Are A Reliable Source of Substantial New State Revenue
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
WHO– The Economic and Health Benefits of Tobacco Taxation

100% Tobacco-Free Policies

Support clean-air and smoke-free environment ordinances and legislation in communities and states

All places where children and adolescents learn, live, play and work (eg, schools, universities, child care settings, restaurants, public parks, multi-unit housing, sporting arenas, airports and vehicles) should be smoke-free, in order to discourage smoking initiation, as well as to prevent exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke.

Children and adolescents with chronic conditions (eg, asthma) face significant health harms from tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Those who suffer from chronic conditions, which are often not visible, could be at an even greater risk for adverse reactions if environments are not smoke or tobacco free. Smoke-free laws should include electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS, or e-cigarettes), as secondhand vapor from these products contains some of the same chemicals as secondhand smoke.

Smoke-free policies improve indoor air quality, reduce negative health outcomes among nonsmokers, decrease cigarette consumption, encourage smokers to quit and change social norms regarding the acceptability of smoking.

Warning: The tobacco industry is well-known for its effective marketing schemes and retaliation tactics. The industry battles pending smoke-free or clean air ordinances by contending that such laws will negatively impact business owners, or that the use of proper ventilation will alleviate secondhand smoke exposure. The industry also lobbies for preemption laws that take power from local governments, which is where tobacco control advocates typically are the most successful. Be aware of these tactics when looking to take action on this recommendation.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Clinical Practice Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- pages 6, 50
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
National Academy of Medicine report– Ending the Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation, 2007- Recommendation 4
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
Surgeon General report– Reducing Tobacco Use, 2000- page 261
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services– Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan for the US Department of Health and Human Services- Strategic Action 1
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development– Smoke Free Housing- A Toolkit for Owners/Management Agents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development– Smoke Free Housing- A Toolkit for Residents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-family Housing
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention P

For more information:

AAP Julius B Richmond Center– Solving the Puzzle: A Guide to Pediatric Tobacco Control- Community
American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation- Smoking Policies in the 35 Busiest US Airports
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights– Going Smokefree in Your Community
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Smoke-Free Laws
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
ChangeLab Solutions– Model Ordinance: Comprehensive Smokefree Places
Institute for Global Tobacco Control– The MPOWER framework and United Nations human rights treaties: An additional argument for the promotion of tobacco control goals
Public Health Law Center– Vehicles
University of Michigan– Smoke-free Campus Supervisor's Toolkit
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services– Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative

For more information about tobacco industry tactics:

Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights– Advice to Business Owners
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights– Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks
CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review, March 18, 2005– Preemptive State Smoke-free Indoor Air Laws--United States, 1999--2004
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke- page 11

Eliminate Free Samples and Discounts

Encourage communities to enact legislation that prohibits the distribution of free tobacco product samples and price discounts

The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act stated that cigarette free samples are no longer allowed, but smokeless tobacco products were eligible as long as they are given to legal adults in adult-only facilities. The regulation also stated that states and local governments can prohibit or restrict the distribution of free samples of smokeless tobacco.

Initiation of tobacco use is often brought about by the accessibility to tobacco products. Tobacco products should be monitored to ensure that children and adolescents do not have easy access and are not lured into purchasing tobacco products at a discounted price. Smokeless tobacco products, cigars and electronic nicotine delivery systems should be included in such policies, as they are popular with youth.

Warning: The tobacco industry is well-known for its effective marketing schemes and retaliation tactics. The industry also lobbies for preemption laws that take power from local governments, which is where tobacco control advocates typically are the most successful. Be aware of these tactics when looking to take action on this recommendation.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
World Health Organization (WHO)– WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008: The MPOWER Package- Intervention E

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Point-of-Sale Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Policy Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide

For more information about tobacco industry tactics:

Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights- Preemption: Tobacco Control's #1 Enemy
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights– Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review, March 18, 2005– Preemptive State Smoke-free Indoor Air Laws--United States, 1999--2004
Protect Local Control

Tobacco Product Sales Restrictions

Support the implementation of laws raising the age of purchase to 21 for tobacco items

Because 90% of smokers begin by age 18, it is crucial to prevent adoption of smoking in young populations. Since some high school students are 18 and legally able to buy cigarettes in some places, it is easy for those students to purchase cigarettes and give them to younger students who cannot buy cigarettes themselves. Pushing back the age of tobacco purchase to 21 helps keep products like cigarettes, hookah, cigars, smokeless tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems out of the hands of younger potential smokers- the majority of people who purchase for distribution to minors are between the ages of 18 and 20, and younger students likely do not share social circles with 21 year olds.

Critics of Tobacco 21 laws use a variety of arguments to voice concerns about these laws. One of the most frequently heard arguments against Tobacco 21 laws is that eliminating tobacco sales from those under 21 will cause convenience stores to lose business. The total loss of revenue is only 2.12% of total tobacco sales. In addition, not a single convenience store in Needham, MA went out of business when the Tobacco 21 law was implemented in 2005. Another concern for implementation of these laws is that underage smokers will go to a neighboring town to buy cigarettes. However, this has not been the case in Needham since 2005, and there is no evidence that it will occur. Most high school students have limited mobility, and each town that raises its sales age increases the likelihood that surrounding towns will do the same.

Additional concerns center around the added burden this would place on retailers. However, current FDA policy requires that retailers check the ID of anyone attempting to purchase tobacco who appears to be under age 27. Raising the purchase age to 21 would make things consistent with alcohol regulations- in some states, driver’s licenses for people under 21 are different than for those over 21. Compliance protocols can easily be modified to match those of alcohol sales. If the minimum age of legal access for tobacco products were raised to 21 now, it estimated that by the time today’s teenagers were adults, there would be a 12% decrease in prevalence of tobacco use among those adults.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
National Academy of Medicine report– Public Health Implications of Raising the Minimum Age of Legal Access to Tobacco Products

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids– Increasing the Sale Age for Tobacco Products to 21
Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids– Increasing Minimum Legal Sale Age for Tobacco Products to 21
Tobacco21.org

Partner with coalitions to educate local merchants/vendors who illegally sell tobacco to youth. Support administrative or civil law penalties for illegal sales.

All tobacco products should be placed behind sales counters to reduce access to youth and adolescents. Providing tobacco products to youth is illegal. Significant legal actions for merchants who break the law should be more effectively enforced.

The public can also take an active role and report violations of these restrictions by accessing the FDA Center for Tobacco Products website.

Recommended by:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- page 19
Surgeon General report– Reducing Tobacco Use, 2000- page 23

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Where Do Youth Smokers Get Their Cigarettes?
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources

Eliminate sales of tobacco products from areas where children, adolescents and young adults frequent (eg, schools, universities, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies)

Tobacco sales should be strictly monitored and enforced to assure that children and adolescents do not have easy access to any tobacco products. One way to do this is to remove the sale of tobacco products from places children, adolescents and young adults frequent. This can include schools, universities, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, among other places.

Sales of tobacco products at places in which young people spend their time removes protections needed to assure underage youth do not have access to tobacco products. Venues for unsupervised purchase of tobacco products, such as vending machines and online merchants, including daily deal sites and other third party-vendors, should be eliminated. If a facility has public/open access computers, these types of websites should be blocked, as they may enable youth to purchase tobacco products without face-to-face age verification.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Clinical Practice Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- page 22
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
Surgeon General report– Reducing Tobacco Use, 2000- page 23

For more information:

AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco-free Environments
AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Where Do Youth Smokers Get Their Cigarettes?
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Youth Anti-tobacco State Resources
ChangeLab Solutions– A Prescription for Health: Tobacco Free Pharmacies
Smoking Cessation Leadership Center– Tobacco-Free Toolkit for Community Health Facilities
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Point-of-Sale Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Policy Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide
US Department of Health and Human Services– Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative

Eliminate Self-Service Displays and Vending

Support policies that prohibit venues allowing unsupervised purchase of tobacco products, such as vending machines and online merchants

Tobacco sales should be strictly monitored and enforced to assure that children and adolescents do not have easy access to any tobacco products. One way to do this is to eliminate vehicles for unsupervised purchase of tobacco products, such as vending machines and online merchants, including daily deal sites and other third-party vendors. If a facility has public/open access computers, these types of websites should be blocked, as they may enable youth to purchase tobacco products without face-to-face age verification.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, 2014- page 22
CDC– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
Surgeon General report– Reducing Tobacco Use, 2000- page 261

For more information:

AAP State Government Affairs– Issue Brief: Tobacco-Free Environments
AAP Issue Brief– Tobacco Product Control
CDC– School Health Index
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Policy Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services– Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative

Tobacco Product Regulation

Support policies to regulate flavored tobacco products

Research has demonstrated that there is a high likelihood that flavored tobacco increases the risk of tobacco initiation. Flavored cigarettes (other than menthol) were banned by the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The law did not extend the ban to other tobacco products. When one type of flavored tobacco product is banned and others aren't, there is room for re-branding.

Following the ban on flavored cigarettes by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, some brands of flavored cigarettes changed how they were made and were re-released as flavored cigars— perfectly legal under the terms of the law. In the absence of federal legislation, communities and states have started taking action on this issue. Prohibiting all flavored tobacco products would ensure that re-branding can't happen and that the rates of tobacco use initiation would decrease. Laws should include menthol-flavored products, which are popular with youth.

Recommended by:

AAP policy statement– Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
AAP policy statement– Public Policy to Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)– Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control
Surgeon General report– The Health Consequences of Smoking— 50 Years of Progress, 2014- page 827
Surgeon General report– Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults, 2012- page 205

For more information:

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids– Not Your Grandfather’s Tobacco: A New Generation of Cheap and Sweet Cigars Threatens a New Generation of Kids
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Regulating Flavored Tobacco Products
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– The Problem with Menthol: A Backgrounder
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Regulating Menthol Tobacco Products
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Regulating Menthol Flavored Tobacco Products: Lessons Learned
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium– Chicago’s Regulation of Menthol Flavored Tobacco Products: A Case Study

Last Updated

05/05/2021

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics