Kids and Tobacco on Southern Tier Close Up

On the June 11 edition of the weekly, local public affairs program, Southern Tier Close Up, Sharon Fischer of Tobacco Free Broome and Tioga talks about the impact of tobacco advertising on children.

Fischer says colorful ads that appeal to children are strategically placed to be at the eye-level of children and influence kids to start using tobacco at a very early age.  In New York State, the average age of a new smoker is 13 years old.

A campaign years ago targeting retailers, encouraging them not to place tobacco advertising in view of children, was largely unsuccessful.  Fischer says smoking prevention groups couldn't compete with tobacco sellers paying retailers to place ads exactly where they want them.

A new effort, called #SeenEnoughTobacco looks to prompt community members and parents to learn what they can do to protect children from tobacco marketing and includes provocative posters and a colorful storybook featuring Jack and Jill who go to a store to buy a snack but may just end up being the tobacco industry's newest smokers intended to compel viewers to learn what they can to protect children from tobacco marketing.

Information can be found at www.SeenEnoughTobacco.org.

Southern Tier Close Up can be heard Saturdays at 12:10 p.m. on News Radio 1290 WNBF.