DARLINGTON - Though the tide may be turning in the battle against smoking, advocates caution tobacco products are still influential.
"(Tobacco companies) are investing heavily in alternative smokeless tobacco products in order to respond to increasing regulations and smoke-free air laws," said Lee Gill RN, PHN, Lafayette County Health Department.
Examples of these alternative products include snuff, chewing tobacco, and "snus", which are spit-less tobacco pouches that users place under their upper lip. The tobacco industry promotes smokeless tobacco products as less dangerous alternatives to smoking and markets products in kid-friendly flavors like berry blend, mint, and cherry. Camel advertising also reminds users that snus can be used "anytime, anywhere" regardless of whether or not smoke-free laws are in place.
"No matter what the industry tries to tell you, smokeless tobacco products aren't a safe alternative to cigarettes," Gill said.
Selling tobacco products to minors can have serious consequences for retailers. Wisconsin State Statute 134.66 prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 and also requires training for staff that sell tobacco products. Retailers who sell to minors can receive fines as high as $500 for selling to minors and licenses can be suspended up to 30 days if they've had a prior violation in the previous year. Both retailers and any employees who make illegal sales are subject to fines.
Free tobacco sales training and certification is available for retailers at www.smokecheck.org, an online test developed by the Wisconsin Wins program. Wisconsin Wins is a program of the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, and provides training, media and community outreach, and education to help retailers avoid hefty fines.
"(Tobacco companies) are investing heavily in alternative smokeless tobacco products in order to respond to increasing regulations and smoke-free air laws," said Lee Gill RN, PHN, Lafayette County Health Department.
Examples of these alternative products include snuff, chewing tobacco, and "snus", which are spit-less tobacco pouches that users place under their upper lip. The tobacco industry promotes smokeless tobacco products as less dangerous alternatives to smoking and markets products in kid-friendly flavors like berry blend, mint, and cherry. Camel advertising also reminds users that snus can be used "anytime, anywhere" regardless of whether or not smoke-free laws are in place.
"No matter what the industry tries to tell you, smokeless tobacco products aren't a safe alternative to cigarettes," Gill said.
Selling tobacco products to minors can have serious consequences for retailers. Wisconsin State Statute 134.66 prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 and also requires training for staff that sell tobacco products. Retailers who sell to minors can receive fines as high as $500 for selling to minors and licenses can be suspended up to 30 days if they've had a prior violation in the previous year. Both retailers and any employees who make illegal sales are subject to fines.
Free tobacco sales training and certification is available for retailers at www.smokecheck.org, an online test developed by the Wisconsin Wins program. Wisconsin Wins is a program of the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, and provides training, media and community outreach, and education to help retailers avoid hefty fines.
