Preventing Youth Initiation

It's been nearly a decade since the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) prohibited tobacco companies from directly marketing to youth; however, youth are still influenced by tobacco industry marketing. In addition to print ads, the tobacco industry uses other gimmicks to hook youth, including flavored cigarettes; bar and club promotion; sponsorship of sporting events, concerts and car shows; and product giveaways with tobacco company logos. The indirect marketing is working as the majority of adult smokers say they started in high school. Youth smoking initiation rates are high for communities of color, which have historically been targeted by tobacco companies.

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