Wakulla Restricts Sales of Flavored Tobacco Products
Crawfordville, Florida – On November 5, 2012 The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance that goes into effect February 1, 2013 restricting the selling or distribution of flavored tobacco products at stores that sell to minors. Through this ban Wakulla joins other communities on the frontlines of public health, helping to reduce the prevalence of teen tobacco use.
Flavored tobacco is tobacco products like cigars, cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco products and blunt wraps that have had artificial or natural flavors added to them. In 2009, the FDA banned the sale of candy flavored cigarettes across the country, but other existing and new tobacco products were left exempt to be handled by future action.
According to Tobacco Free Florida over the last few years the emergence of new flavored tobacco products, presented in colorful and playful packaging and backed by hefty marketing budgets, have parents, teachers, health advocates, physicians, and communities rightly concerned. Flavored tobacco appeals to younger audiences. In Florida, one in six kids between the ages of 11 and 17 has ever tried flavored tobacco. The tobacco industry’s own documents show that these sweet tobacco products are designed to get children to start using tobacco products. Taking these products out of stores where our kids shop is a huge step forward towards keeping our youth tobacco free.
Starting February 1, 2013, convenience and grocery stores will not be able to sell candy flavored tobacco products which will be enforced by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office. Any other stores that only allow access to people over the age of 21 are able to continue selling flavored tobacco products.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Source: wctv.tv