Tobacco-free Youth
Tobacco product use is started and established primarily during adolescence. Most cigarette smokers try their first cigarette before the age of 18. Nearly all first try smoking by age 26. In 2018, Oregon made it illegal to sell tobacco to people under the age of 21. Prior to 2018, it was illegal to sell to those under 18.
Products with flavors such as electronic cigarettes, little cigars and hookah are more popular among youth and young adults compared to older adults. Flavors appear to be a key component for youth to start using tobacco because they mask the harshness of the tobacco. This makes it easier for youth to try and ultimately become addicted to nicotine.
About Vaping and E-cigarettes
Laws in the United States limit flavors, labeling and marketing of cigarettes. Cigarettes can no longer contain flavors other than menthol, and cigarette use has declined. However, e-cigarettes are available in flavors and come in packaging that appeals to young people, and are heavily promoted in convenience stores and locations accessible to youth. E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, surpassing conventional cigarettes.
E-cigarettes, such as JUUL, contain nicotine, the same addictive ingredient in conventional tobacco products. There is strong evidence to suggest that these products increase youth nicotine addiction and youth initiation of conventional tobacco products (Oregon Health Authority, 2020).
2019 Linn County Health & Economic Impact Assessment of Tobacco Retail
A copy of the assessment can be found below.
The tobacco industry has established itself as a constant presence in communities throughout the United States and Oregon. Their advertising and marketing tactics, found in local convenience stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other store types, have become almost impossible to avoid. The rise of the electronic cigarette, flavored tobacco, and discrete devices to use tobacco and even cannabis products has also created a heightened appeal in youth groups with lack of understanding of their potential negative impacts. Given that nearly 90% of adults who are daily tobacco users begin by 18 years of age, it is essential to protect youth from the purposeful targeting of tobacco industry.
To address these issues on a local level, the Linn County Public Health Department (LCPH) Health Promotion Program partnered with local community organizations, retailers, and healthcare providers to conduct a Health and Economic Impact Assessment. The assessment demonstrates how the tobacco retail environment has impacted community members and will serve to provide insight for potential solutions and actions that can lead to a healthier more equitable community. As one community member said, “As parents and community members, we need to be more mindful about what example we are setting.”
The assessment outlines community members and retailers describing changes they would like to see in their communities including more public spaces and events that are smoke free, promotion of cessation resources, and ways to support retailers in efforts to make the retail environment healthier.
The 2019 Health and Impact Assessment built on previous work Linn County has conducted in partnership with local business owners. In 2018, to understand how much space the tobacco industry occupies in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) conducted a statewide assessment of tobacco advertising, marketing and promotion in retail locations. To collect data in a clear and objective way, TPEP trained and partnered with teams of local health department staff, nonprofit organizations, tribes and community volunteers to use a standard assessment tool.
The 2018 retail assessment findings provide a snapshot of the tobacco industry’s presence across Oregon. It sheds light on the ways the industry targets people in Oregon, particularly youth.
Tobacco 21
On August 9, 2017 Governor Kate Brown signed Senate Bill 754 into law. This law raises the minimum legal sale age for tobacco and inhalant delivery systems (such as e-cigarettes) from 18 to 21 years of age. Raising the sale age of tobacco products protects kids as the earlier kids start to use tobacco, the more at risk they are for tobacco addiction. Enforcement of the law began on January 1, 2018.
Who does the new law impact?
Tobacco retailers and certified smoke shops may no longer sell tobacco products or inhalant delivery systems to persons under 21 years of age.
Facilities, including a public or private school, college, community college, university, career school, technical education school, youth correction facility or juvenile detention facility, may not allow persons under 21 years of age to possess tobacco products and inhalant delivery systems while on grounds, in buildings, or when attending sponsored activities.
I work at a tobacco retail store or certified smoke shop. How can I comply with the new law?
- Post required signs to notify customers about the new minimum legal sale age. Contact the Linn County Tobacco Prevention program at ccastaneda@co.linn.or.us to receive sign decals at no cost.
- Train employees to comply with the law to ensure they do not sell tobacco products to people under 21
- Provide support for employees who use tobacco to quit
- Talk with your patrons about the law
I work for a facility that is included in the new law. How can I comply?
- Train employees on how to talk to clients and students about the law
- Talk with your clients and students about the law
- As required by law, issue a written policy prohibiting persons under 21 years of age from possessing tobacco products and inhalant delivery systems while on facility grounds, in facility buildings or when attending facility-sponsored activities
- Provide support for employees, clients, and students who use tobacco to quit
I would like more information and resources about the new law. Where can I go?
- Oregon Health Authority’s Tobacco Retail: Provides information on the new law and pdf of the required signage
- Contact the Linn County Tobacco Prevention and Education program at ccastaneda@co.linn.or.us to request stickers of the required signs and learn more about Tobacco 21
Tips for Talking to Kids About Vaping
Before the Talk
- Know the facts.
- Get credible information about e-cigarettes and young people at the Surgeon General’s website.
- Be patient and ready to listen.
- Avoid criticism and encourage an open dialogue. Remember, your goal is to have a conversation, not to deliver a lecture. It’s OK for your conversation to take place over time, in bits and pieces
- Set a positive example by being tobacco-free.
- If you use tobacco, it’s never too late to quit. For free help, visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Answer Their Questions
Why don’t you want me to use e-cigarettes?
Science shows that e-cigarettes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body. Right now, your brain is still developing, which means you are more vulnerable to addiction. Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and using nicotine can change your brain to make you crave more nicotine. It can also affect your memory and concentration. I don’t want that for you! E-cigarettes contain chemicals that are harmful. When people use e-cigarettes, they breathe in tiny particles that can harm their lungs. The cloud that people exhale from e-cigarettes can expose you to chemical that are not safe to breathe.
What’s the big deal about nicotine?
Your brain is still developing until about age 25. The Surgeon General reported that nicotine is addictive and can harm your brain development. Using nicotine at your age may make it harder for you to concentrate, learn, or control your impulses. Nicotine can even train your brain to be more easily addicted to other drugs like meth and cocaine. I don’t say this to scare you, but I want you to have the facts because nothing is more important to me than your health and safety.
Aren’t e-cigarettes safer than conventional cigarettes?
Because your brain is still developing, scientific studies show that it isn’t safe for your to use any tobacco product that contains nicotine, including e-cigarettes. Whether you get nicotine from an e-cigarette or a cigarette, it’s still risky. Some e-cigarette batteries have even exploded and hurt people.
I thought e-cigarettes didn’t have nicotine — just water and flavoring?
I used to think that, too. But many e-cigarettes have nicotine. There are also other chemicals in them that can be harmful
I (or my friends) have tried e-cigarettes and it was no big deal.
I appreciate your honesty. In the future I hope you (or your friends) will stay away from e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, including cigarettes. Science show that e-cigarettes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body. Next time we go to the doctor, let’s ask about the risks of nicotine, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products.
You used tobacco, so why shouldn’t I?
If I could live my life over again, I never would have started smoking. I learned that people who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop, and die from, certain diseases than people who don’t smoke. This was really scary, so I quit smoking. Quitting was really hard, and I don’t want you to go through that. The best thing is to not start at all.
