Students aged 15-17 years old were able to purchase tobacco 19% of the time. Of the 98 stores checked, 19 stores were found in violation. This means that 81% of the stores were in compliance with the law, a slight decrease from last year. By comparison, Guams’ vendor compliance rate this year was found to be 93%.
The compliance checks are implemented annually to raise public awareness about the problem of youth access to tobacco products, to monitor compliance with the law and to encourage youth to provide community service. As one youth noted “I decided to get involved since I know how easy it is for my friends to buy cigarettes”. “Since 80% of tobacco users start before they are 18 years old, we realize the importance of reducing and stopping the sale of tobacco products to prevent youth addiction” said Dr. Sylvia Wally, Chief, Division of Behavioral Health. These inspections are part of Palau=s effort to meet the Ministry of Health and the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Palau’s goals to reduce youth access to tobacco products. All youth who participated in the inspections received Certificates of Community Service from the Ministry of Health and the Coalition.Research shows that if a youth does not initiate tobacco use before the age of 18 years, he/she is likely to NEVER start. Nicotine, a naturally occurring drug found in tobacco, is known to be more addictive than heroin and to be a gateway to alcohol and other drug use. Combine this with the devastation that it can cause in the body; tobacco use being associated with several cancers, heart disease, lung disease, strokes, problems in pregnancy, and impotence to name a few.Vendors who sell to youth are subject to fines from $100.00 to more than $1,000 and license suspension or licenses subject to revocation and/or non-renewal.The harm that tobacco products cause can not be over emphasized. It is generally a slow, silent, painful and expensive killer; slow motion suicide. The onus is certainly not only on vendors to keep this drug out of children=s reach, but also parents, teachers, caretakers and persons in leadership roles in the community. It is incumbent upon all these people to discourage the use of tobacco by youth.Certificates of appreciation and vendor education packets are being distributed to those vendors who were found to be in compliance with the law. All vendors are reminded of the implications for breaking the law, not only legally, but with respect to the health and welfare of Palau=s children. The tobacco industry is a powerful one and we should not let them exploit of our youth. Tobacco is the only product that, when used exactly as the manufacturer intends, causes disease and death. Only by addicting our most vulnerable population, can this multi-million dollar industry survive. Today=s youth, will be tomorrow=s adults for whom cessation is an incredibly difficult undertaking.Vendor inspections are only one activity that can be used to help eliminate or reduce youth initiation of tobacco. If any vendor would like more information or training materials for their employees, please don=t hesitate to call the Tobacco Prevention and Control Office 488-8118. The Ministry of Health thanks all vendors who continue to refuse to sell tobacco/cigarettes for any purpose, to the precious youth of Palau.
