Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation
Established in 1996 the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation strives to reduce the terrible toll of smoking and tobacco use through a preventive effort. The belief that tobacco use is a voluntary risk continually undertaken by smokers themselves is belied by the fact that virtually all nicotine use begins in adolescence when experimentation and risk-taking are part and parcel of normal development.
That early exposure permanently alters neuro-receptors in the deepest, most ancient parts of the brain that then manifests as ongoing desire or addiction. Preventing that early inoculation requires a concerted societal and political strategy including school-based education, reduced media exposure, counter-marketing, tobacco and smoke free homes and public areas and youth access restrictions. We vigorously support all of those efforts in addition to our focus on raising the legal minimum sales age to 21.
Reduce and Prevent Youth Smoking in Missouri
The Problem:
- More than 95% of long-term smokers started before age of 21
- The primary place underage smokers get tobacco is from their 18 to 20-year-old peers
- Over 80% of high school seniors are 18 when they graduate
- Adolescent brains are still developing and are uniquely sensitive to nicotine addiction
- E-cigarette use among youth in Missouri has more than doubled in recent years
- E-cigarettes contain nicotine, toxins and carcinogens and are currently available to 18-year-olds
- Smokers cost up to 40% more than non-smokers in health care costs
- For private businesses, smoking employees costs $5,816 in excess cost per year on average
The Solution:
Support for Tobacco 21:
- 75% of U.S. adults, including 70% of current smokers support the policy
- 260+ cities in 18 states and the entire states of Hawaii, California, New Jersey, Maine, and Oregon
- 1/3 of Missouri’s population is covered by a Tobacco 21 policy
The Health Impact of Increasing the Sale Age of Tobacco:
- Reduce overall smoking rates by 12%
- Decrease smoking initiation among 15-17-year-old by 25% and among 18-20 year olds by 15%
- Fewer smokers before 18 lead to fewer long-term smokers
- Thousands of lives saved of youth today in Missouri
Endorsing Organizations
Prevention of Youth Tobacco Use Resources
Webinar
WEBINAR: TOBACCO 21 LANDSCAPE: FOR MISSOURI AND BEYOND
Held September 17, 2018
Tobacco remains the leading cause of behavioral death in the nation, yet little has evolved in the way we combat this health issue. Over the last several years a new tobacco control policy, Tobacco 21, has moved quickly through the nation and now covers over 25% of the U.S. population.
Video
Video Presentation
See the Empire High School SWAT deliver Tobacco 21presentation to the City of Tucson City County. Presentation starts at 2:22:21.
PowerPoint Presentation
T21 Missouri Power Point Presentation
A Tobacco 21 Presentation provided by the people at the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation.
T21 Missouri Power Point Presentation with talking points
A Tobacco 21 Presentation with Talking Points provided by the people at the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation.
