Kids Bombarded With Smoking Ads In Local Stores

Calaveras County, CA — The earlier a young person starts smoking, the more likely they are to become adult smokers.

So, when 43 stores selling tobacco in Calaveras County have an average of 28 ads or promotional items on display, kids are being told it´s an accepted behavior. That´s according to the Calaveras County Public Health Department´s Tobacco Prevention Program.

The number of ads were taken from an observational survey and that number is up from last year´s 19.

Of particular concern were stores in Valley Springs and Wallace, which had an average of 48 ads.

26 percent of all stores were out of compliance with the state law that requires signs saying the store will card anyone appearing under 18.

The prevention program says the reason these statistics are important is because research shows tobacco advertising can result in kids beginning to smoke at an early age.

15.2 percent of Calaveras youth smoke. That´s 2 percent higher than the state average.

The program has a goal of limiting ads to 6.

Tobacco retailers in West Point made an effort to limit their ads and met the county´s goal.

There were 3 stores {b” >without any{/b” > tobacco advertising. They were Angels Market, the Camp Connell General Store, and Glory Hole.

Written by Vanessa Turner.