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Michigan vendors do their part to protect youth from dangers of tobacco
November 21, 2016
For Immediate Release: November 21, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – The Office of Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (OROSC) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is pleased to report that a statewide survey conducted during 2016 unofficially indicates that 86.9 percent of retailers did not sell tobacco products to youth under age 18. This is the sixteenth consecutive year Michigan vendors have been in compliance with the federal minimum rate of 80 percent. The 2016 rate represents a 2.8 percent improvement from last year.
“Deterring tobacco sales to youth is critical to reducing the negative health effects and deaths caused by smoking and tobacco use,” said Nick Lyon, director of the MDHHS. “We commend the business community for doing their part to protect Michigan youth from the dangers of smoking, and thank our affiliate partners for conducting high quality inspections.”
The Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration Reorganization Act, which includes an amendment aimed at decreasing youth access to tobacco, requires all states and territories to conduct a survey using a scientific random sample study protocol approved by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. States must demonstrate that its tobacco vendor compliance meets or exceeds the federal minimum compliance rate of 80 percent through random, unannounced inspections of tobacco retailers.
During the summer of 2016, OROSC conducted random unannounced inspections statewide to measure the rate of illegal sales of tobacco to Michigan youth. A youth inspector visits the retailer, attempts to make a tobacco purchase, and records the results. An adult chaperone drives the youth inspectors and oversees the purchase attempts.
The SYNAR amendment requires that states enact and enforce laws prohibiting the sale or distribution of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18. States that fall below the 80 percent minimum compliance rate are subject to a penalty of 40 percent from their federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funding. For Michigan, this could mean more than $22 million.
With the popularity of electronic nicotine devices, Michigan is strengthening tobacco education and awareness through a resource website called “Do Your Part” which is designed to educate the general public and teens about the dangers of smoking. Additionally, MDHHS is continuing outreach to tobacco vendors by providing educational materials to 100 percent of establishments who sell tobacco products. Businesses who want to educate staff, avoid fines and safeguard public health, can do so by accessing a free online certification test and PowerPoint presentation.
To learn more about the Do Your Part campaign, visit www.michigan.gov/doyourpart. The free online presentation and certification is available at www.improvingmipractices.org/.
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