PENDLETON RESTRICTS
YOUTH ACCESS TO
TOBACCO
The Umatilla County Coalition Against Tobacco (UCCAT) knew
that self-service tobacco in retail locations posed a threat to the community's youth.Toni Walters, who owns Dave's Chevron and Food Mart in Pendleton, said that she "has had 8, 12, and 16-year-old youth caught stealing tobacco products." UCCAT worked with the local retailers and with the Pendleton City Council to require all retailers to place tobacco products behind the counter or under lock and key so kids no longer have access. |
DOING WHAT WORKS
1. STATEWIDE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
35 local coalitions, nine tribes and six multicultural organizations are actively tackling this problem in almost every community in Oregon. They have: Educated youth about the dangers of tobacco use (for example, Grants Pass youth worked with their parents and classmates to produce a radio program that taught about tobacco hazards, and tribal youth educated members about the difference between commercial tobacco and tobacco used traditionally by tribal elders). Worked to reduce advertising and promotion of tobacco products (e.g., kids in Multnomah County helped convince retailers to move tobacco advertising away from the candy area frequented by kids). Assisted their communities to identify or enact policy measures that are known to reduce youth tobacco use (e.g., Wheeler enacted a city ordinance prohibiting self-service displays of tobacco products).
2. FUNDED PROGRAMS IN OVER 300 SCHOOLS
Over 300 schools (serving roughly one third of Oregon's students) received Measure 44 funding to conduct effective school-based programs. The programs include youth education, parent involvement, staff training, and anti-tobacco activities.
Seventy percent of funded schools either have or are developing policies prohibiting tobacco by students, staff, and visitors-not only indoors but anywhere on campus or at school events.
3. COUNTERACTING TOBACCO ADVERTISING
Ninety six percent of Oregon youth aged 12-17 saw three or more anti-tobacco messages during the period from July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000. These messages were specifically focus tested to be effective with Oregon youth. They show young people that they don't have to use tobacco to have friends, be attractive, and be in control. Instead, tobacco is an addictive product that will take away control of their lives.
4. INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
A new computer-based youth cessation service has been developed to help youth quit chewing tobacco. Every school in Oregon will receive this new service.
Since 1996 we have seen a sharp decline in youth smoking in Oregon. This finding is consistent with national trends in youth smoking, although there has been a steeper decline in Oregon than there has been in the rest of the nation.
|
Odds are good that if a person hasn't started smoking before age 18, he or she probably won't ever start. About 50,000 young Oregonians (6th-12th grade) smoke. About 20,400 youth chew tobacco. Parents want communities that protect kids from tobacco. Eight of ten Oregonians don't want children or adults using tobacco on school grounds or at any school events. Nine of ten say communities should keep stores from selling tobacco to youth.
