1. Raise cigarette taxes by 20 percent to levels equal to or greater than those of highest-taxing states.

2. Urge law enforcement to actively implement existing laws that prohibit retailers from selling tobacco to minors by conducting frequent compliance checks to identify retailers who sell tobacco to minors, and to penalize violators with a graduated series of fines and civil penalties.

3. Promote laws that mandate a permit or license for stores that sell tobacco, and revoke licenses for repeated sales to minors. Fees from licensing of tobacco vendors can be used to fund enforcement activities and to develop and maintain active, large-scale programs.

4. Raise the legal age for sale or purchase and consumption of tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21.

5. Promote policies and enforce existing laws for smoke-free parks, playgrounds and outdoor recreation areas accessible to young people.

6. Eliminate tobacco-vending machines and self-service displays in stores accessible to young people.

7. Improve community education about the risks of adolescent smoking, and urge the public to adopt polices that prevent the sharing of tobacco products with minors.

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Contact: Louri Groves
lgroves@uci.edu
949-824-9307
University of California - Irvine
7-Oct-2005