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Adults Underestimate Tobacco Advertising in Local Stores

Ithaca, N.Y. (March 23, 2011) – An informal survey conducted in Ithaca earlier this month finds that adults significantly underestimate the extent of tobacco product advertising in stores that sell cigarettes, while recognizing that such advertising does have an influence on children. As part of the annual Kick Butts Day, the survey was conducted by Tobacco Free Tompkins to see if local consumers are aware of the targeted marketing and it’s impressions on youth. Read the full press release (PDF).

“Tobacco Marketing Works”
media campaign

The tobacco industry insists that they don’t target kids, but that’s not what it looks like in retail stores around the state. A recent study demonstrated a direct relationship between the frequency that a teen visited stores containing tobacco advertising and his or her risk of becoming a smoker.

Retail stores are one of the last places where tobacco companies can expose kids to their advertising. Consequently, tobacco companies spend billions of dollars each year marketing their deadly products at the point of sale.

Exposure to tobacco marketing in stores is a primary cause of youth smoking.

New Surgeon General Report:

• Exposure to tobacco smoke causes immediate damage to your body

• Present-day cigarettes are more attractive and addictive than ever before.

The new report was released Dec. 9, 2010. The full report, executive summary and materials for consumers and clinicians are available at the U.S. Surgeon General Web site (click here).

More News...

• Smoking around your kindergarten kids could raise their blood pressure. American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report, 1/10/11.

Cigarette display in a WNY convenience store

The most convenient item in a convenience store...

The tobacco industry gets their deadly products in the best sales position in the store: right behind the cash register. That's where everyone can see them, including the teens who shop there! And since 75% of teens shop at convenience stores at least once a week, there are a lot of teens staring at a lot of cigarettes everyday.

Survey of local retailers shows youth bombarded by tobacco marketing. Click here for the story.

The hottest spot in retail is right behind the cash register.

Your kids learn about cigarette brands right at the register! How convenient!

And Big Tobacco snags it everytime!

It's called the "Goalpost", and it's where every sales rep wants their product displayed. So how does Big Tobacco get it almost everytime? Simple, they require retailers to dedicate that space to cigarette display through highly restrictive merchandizing contracts!

Central New York's licensed tobacco retailers display an average 17+ interior tobacco ads per store. Teens remember these ads twice as well as do adults.

Point-of-sale marketing and promotion encourages teens to start smoking, and influence them to become regular smokers. Less tobacco marketing could mean fewer teens get hooked on tobacco. And that can help save a life.

Retail Point of Sale Factsheet

Your kids can learn their tobacco brands while you pump gas.

Your kids learn about cigarette brands while you pump gas! How convenient!

Read more about cigarette marketing at retail stores »
UPI: Some U.S. Retailers and Tobacco Part Ways (May 9 08)
City of Ithaca resolution urges retailers to reduce tobacco advertising. Read the resolution »

Smoke-free Apartments:
The Smart Move for landlords and tenants!

Across New York State, landlords and property managers are recognizing the win-win-win that comes with taking their buildings completely smoke-free: growing market demand, reduced maintenance costs, more satisfied tenants.

The T-Free Zone program is promoting smoke-free apartments in Tompkins County, and supporting landlords and managers who take their properties smoke-free.

• Directory of smoke-free rental housing in Tompkins County
• Model lease addendum for smoke-free apartments
• FAQ for landlords
• New HUD memo encourages smoke-free housing (PDF, 22K)

Direct mail campaign for landlords

No Thanks to Funding from Big Tobacco

These organizations say “No Thanks” to tobacco funding
• Bridges for Youth & Families in Tompkins County
• Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes
• Community Coalition for Healthy Youth
• Family & Children's Service of Ithaca
• Hangar Theatre
• Health Planning Council
• Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes
• Sciencenter

Read the details about T-Free's “No Thanks” campaign »

Get a Pledge form »

Tobacco sponsorship: What are the values?
Tobacco companies sponsor organizations from the arts to human rights and disaster relief. Does tobacco money represent the values of your organization? Read background information »

The Brands of big tobacco: Find out what popular brands are under the umbrella of tobacco giants Altria, Reynolds America and Loews Corp.

Health Commissioner Salutes Tompkins County Tobacco Control Efforts During National Public Health Week

ITHACA, N.Y. (April 6, 2009) – State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., today presented a Public Health Excellence Award to the Tompkins County Health Department, the City of Ithaca, and Tobacco Free Tompkins for their collaborative efforts to protect New Yorkers against exposure to second-hand smoke. The commissioner's stop in Ithaca is part of his visits highlighting effective community public health efforts during National Public Health Week. Read the full DOH release » | Read the Ithaca Journal article »

TV ads show consequences of smoking
3 ads in the Every Cigarette Does Damage series from Austrailia were broadcast last winter on CNY TV channels. Read about them »

Efforts to End The Sale of Flavored Cigarettes