NEWS RELEASE
February 28, 1997

New Rule in Effect to Reduce Youth Tobacco Use

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today is reminding retailers that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new rule to reduce tobacco use among children.

Effective February 28, the sale of tobacco to youth under age 18 is prohibited and picture identification is required for anyone under age 27 who attempts to buy tobacco. Other provisions of the FDA rule that regulate vending machines, self-serve displays, and tobacco advertising and promotion are scheduled to go into effect in August 1997.

"In Michigan, we've prohibited the sale of tobacco products to children under 18 since 1889," said MDCH Director James K. Haveman, Jr. "This new FDA regulation is in line with Michigan law and will provide additional safeguards to protect children from the health risks that tobacco use can bring. Retailers will need to check for picture identification before selling tobacco to young people, further reducing the chance of illegal sales to children."

Haveman said that in Michigan a number of steps already had been taken to reduce tobacco use among children. "Our latest statewide survey of retailers and vending machines shows that illegal tobacco sales to minors have decreased from about 64% of retail establishments selling tobacco to minors in 1995 to 41% in 1996," Haveman said. "While this decrease is heartening, sales to minors are still much too high. Even one sale to a minor is too many."

The statewide sales checks were conducted as part of Michigan's compliance with the federal Synar amendment. The Synar amendment requires that states have in place a law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors (under age 18), and that states actively enforce their youth tobacco and vending machine laws.

MDCH funds a public service campaign targeted to youth and contracts with local health departments, community organizations, youth centers, and schools to work with and educate young people on the health risks of tobacco. Additionally, the department does retailer education and conducts the Synar survey annually to monitor compliance with the state law prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Scott Walker