Bartow urges retailers to stop selling flavored tobacco to kids | Health

Bartow, Florida -- The Tobacco Free Partnership of Polk County and Students Working Against Tobacco Program say a unanimous resolution has been passed by the City of Bartow City Commissioners that urges tobacco retailers to stop the sale and marketing of flavored tobacco products to under-aged youth in the City of Bartow.

Angie Pueschell, a Students Working Against Tobacco member, led a presentation showing how flavored and alternative tobacco products are marketed to youth.

The tactics continue to lead minors down a path that encourages usage and lifelong addiction, she said.

"I am proud to have been present when Bartow City Commissioners unanimously passed our candy flavored tobacco resolution. It's such an encouraging experience when working in tobacco prevention to know there are adults who see the importance of such a youth organization and who stand behind us in the battle against tobacco," Pueschell said in a release.

In 2009, the FDA banned the sale of flavored cigarettes. However, smokeless tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, and other products are not regulated. Almost 90% of adult smokers started before the age of 18, according to the American Lung Association.

To date, over 120 cities and counties across the state of Florida have passed similar resolutions. 

In Polk County, the Board of County Commissioners and the Lakeland, Mulberry, and now Bartow City Commissioners have all passed a resolution on flavored tobacco.

"We are grateful to the Commissioners for the City of Bartow as they support the TFP's efforts to prevent the initiation of tobacco use among youth. A unanimous vote speaks volumes to this important issue, and their stance reinforces the law that youth should not have access to tobacco products.," said Abby Bourgeois, Tobacco Free Partnership Chair.

The Tobacco-Free Partnership of Polk County and the Bartow City Commission urge all local retailers who sell tobacco products where youth have access to their store or products to cease the sale and marketing of all flavored tobacco products, in order to reduce the exposure to and use of tobacco products to Polk County youth and Bartow youth.