8/13/07
For Immediate Release: Contact Lee Rutledge-Falcione, (724) 222-6511, Ext. 16

Initiative to Prevent Youth Access to Tobacco Successful in Washington County

The Tobacco Free Program of Washington County Health Partners conducted Enforcement Compliance Checks (ECC) for the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. The checks monitor tobacco retailers to ensure tobacco products are not being sold to minors. For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the compliance rate among the county’s tobacco retailers was 96.06 percent, well above the PA DOH required minimum of 90 percent. The compliance rate also showed an improvement of 1.96% over the prior fiscal year.

Pennsylvania law makes the sale of tobacco products to anyone younger than 18 years of age illegal. Any retailer or retail clerk caught selling tobacco products to minors faces a citation and fine. More than one-third of all youth who try cigarettes become regular, daily smokers before leaving high school, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prohibiting access to tobacco is a key factor in preventing youth from becoming regular tobacco users. Overall, more than 23,000 Pennsylvanians die annually from tobacco-related causes. The burden of tobacco use on health care in the Commonwealth costs $4.7 billion per year, with $1.5 billion being absorbed by Medicaid.

Tobacco Free Program
The Tobacco Free Program’s goals are to reduce adult and youth tobacco use and to eliminate it as a social norm. For more information, contact the Tobacco Free Program at 1-866-904-FREE (3733) or info@tobaccofreewashington.org.

Washington County Health Partners, Inc.
Incorporated in 2000, WCHP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of the health and well-being of Washington County residents.

WCHP performs periodic community health assessments to identify county health issues. These issues are addressed through WCHP’s volunteer-led, collaborative task forces comprised of local organizations and community volunteers who combine their expertise and resources. Current issues include: access to health insurance, community wellness, minority health, nutrition, respiratory health, teen wellness, and tobacco free initiatives.

Funding is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

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