HomeMy WebLinkAboutA018 - Memo from Teen Tobacco Use Task Force on use activity r j
3 2000
TO: Mai CITY
Mayor Ted Tedesco � �CIT - —""
- CFF��n
Ames City Council Members CITY OF AWS,IOVIA
FROM: Linda Musto�
SUBJECT: Teen Tobacco Use Activity
DATE: March 2, 2000
As you revisit the issue of underage tobacco sales and compliance in our community,
I would like to review the efforts that have been made by the Teen Tobacco Use
Task Force of the Mid-Iowa Community Health Committee beginning in 1997.
From its very first meeting, the task force has focused on comprehensive approaches
to prevent tobacco use by children and youth. When this issue was discussed at
length at your October 26, 1999 meeting, there were a number of references to the
importance of education and proactive programs--not just compliance programs.
That is exactly the approach that has been taken by the task force. In partnership
with ISU Student Health Center, Youth and Shelter Services and Mary Greeley =
Medical Center smoking cessation educators, there have been new, energetic,
educational programs. In addition:
• Three grants involving educational activities in all seven Story County school
districts
• A series of presentations conducted by Patrick Reynolds in fall of 1998, heir to
the Reynolds tobacco fortune and an anti-smoking crusader
• Social norms education through the "Few Do" grant. Did you see the billboards,
posters in the schools or the colorful book covers?
While a current grant involves young people in compliance activity and
understanding, the majority of the efforts have been geared to education
particularly of middle school students. Education and understanding of teen
tobacco issues inevitably leads to ease of purchase and compliance concerns.
The task force recommended a resolution supporting the enforcement of Iowa law
regarding minor's access to tobacco last July (attached),which the Mid-Iowa
Community Health Committee endorsed.
Three members of our task force will be in attendance at your meeting on Tuesday
evening to serve as resources: Mark Speck, Board of Health member and local
business owner; Jodi Kammin, YSS; and Randy Mayer, ISU Student Health Center
staff member and task force chair. Thank you on behalf of the Mid-Iowa
Community Health Committee for your continued consideration of this important
health issue.
NIid-Iowa Community Health Committee
Resolution Supporting Restriction of Minors' Access to Tobacco
Given that:
Tobacco use is on the rise among youth, with a notable increase in new smokers who are 13- and
14-year-olds,
Approximately 3,000 children and young adults under 18 will begin smoking every day,
Youth under the age of 18 buy over 500 million packs of cigarettes each year,
About one in three young people who begin smoking in adolescence will die from a smoking-
related disease (FDA 1996),
And that Story County substance abuse treatment and prevention funds will be forfeited by
tobacco policy noncompliance,
Be it resolved:
That the Mid-Iowa Community Health Committee encourages and supports the enforcement of
Iowa's laws regarding sale and distribution of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18,
and will work to ensure that local law enforcement agencies, tobacco retailers, prevention
specialists, and the citizens of Story County make a commitment to reducing the County's
noncompliance with federal, state, and local tobacco statutes.
7-12-99