Tulare County goes on record that "Preventing youth from purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products illegally is an important goal of our program," the Porterville Recorder explains. Citing statistics showing that the illegal sale of tobacco products decreased from 13.2 percent in 2006 to only 5.6 percent in 2011, officials specifically work with the non-traditional tobacco retailers who may be targeted by youngsters in an attempt to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products. New statistics show that several new products and changes in consumer behavior are making this an even more urgent undertaking in the near future.
What are the latest tobacco report statistics for the State of California?
The California Department of Public Health stated in December, "Illegal tobacco sales to minors rose to 8.7 percent from 5.6 percent in 2011." Thus, while prior statistical evidence pointed toward a serious reduction in illegal tobacco sales, this figure has now undergone a significant increase. Nevertheless, the demographic most likely to smoke currently falls into the 18 to 24 age group. Another statistic shows that smokeless tobacco products -- such as snus -- are gaining a larger market share.
The Orland Press Register highlights that the number of high schoolers admitting to smoking a cigarette has increased by about 37 percent "in recent years." While the Golden State is still known for having lower teen smoking rates than other states, 4 percent of youngsters did report the use of smokeless tobacco products in 2010. When compared to 2004 figures, this marks a 3 percent increase in tobacco abuse among teens.
Why do new smokeless tobacco products worry California officials?
"The tobacco industry has promoted snus as a way to get around policies and laws that prohibit smoking," the state health director tells the Long Beach Press Telegram. Snus use in particular rose by 0.8 percent between 2004 and 2010. Looking forward, California health officials also warn about products such as "orbs and strips," which are currently marketed in other states. Citing that these smokeless tobacco products are easy to put into a school backpack, they present an up and coming danger to teens.
What are the odds of these new products making their way to California soon?
"New, dissolvable tobacco products that come in orb and strip form have become more popular in other states and are expected to be sold in California soon," the News Review warns. At the same time, the publication cites the tobacco industry's $444 million advertising campaign aimed at directing consumer interest toward smokeless tobacco products.
Sylvia Cochran is a Los Angeles area resident with a firm finger on the pulse of California politics. Talk radio junkie, community volunteer and politically independent, she scrutinizes the good and the bad from both sides of the political aisle.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/more-california-teens-tobacco-products-statistics-show-172900616.html
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