Transcript Assessing Tobacco Industry-Sponsored Youth Access Programs: Operation ID & ID/School Zone

Assessing
Tobacco Industry-Sponsored
Youth Access Programs:
Operation ID & ID/School Zone
for
Michael Perley, Director
Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco (OCAT)
2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health
Boston, MA
December 10-12, 2003
Operation ID
&
ID/School Zone
 Tobacco industry-sponsored programs allegedly
aimed at reducing youth access to tobacco products
by encouraging retailers to demand ID.
 Delivered through retailer training, in-store signs,and
media advertising.
Help! Keep Tobacco Out of
the Hands of Children
Question?
 Does increasing the number of merchants
who comply with age-of-sale restrictions
contribute to reductions in tobacco
consumption or prevalence among youth?
Concerned About Children Smoking?
We Are, Too!
Why Programs Like Operation
ID & ID/School Zone Don’t
– and Can’t – Work
 The Tobacco Industry’s own documents
make clear that the objective of youth
access programs has little or nothing to do
with reducing youth smoking.
 Industry documents show ID programs are designed
to avoid legislation, improve industry image,and build
links to communities.
 The failure of such programs is inevitable because
they are voluntary.
Lanny McDonald
Why Programs Like Operation
ID & ID/School Zone Don’t
– and Can’t – Work
 Research shows programs requiring potential youth
purchasers to show ID don’t work. Controlled
experiment has found that presentation of valid
underage ID increased illegal cigarette sales to
minors more than six-fold. (Tobacco Control 2002;11:296-299)
 Youth access and educational programs target the
wrong outcome. (Industry Program: Wise Decisions)
 Many retailers are reluctant to lose income provided
by illegal sales to minors.
Guy Carbonneau
Why Programs Like Operation
ID & ID/School Zone Don’t
– and Can’t – Work
 When there is no clear/consistent enforcement of
youth access restrictions, some merchants believe
that if they refuse to sell to minors, their competitors
will.
 Positioning tobacco use as an adults-only behaviour
reinforces the desirability of tobacco use to young
people experimenting with adult behaviours.
Kelowna is Concerned About
Children Smoking.
We Are Too!
Kelowna, British Columbia
Kingston - HELP!
November 2003
Kingston, Ontario
Conclusions
 Retailer compliance is not an accurate measure of
youth access to tobacco.
 Enforcement is a critical component of any success
in reducing youth access: Operation ID & ID/School
Zone are not enforceable.
 Industry documentation shows programs are largely
public relations exercises designed to avoid
legislative restrictions.
 If the industry was serious about reducing youth
access, it would endorse much higher taxes,
elimination of retail displays, and other elements of
comprehensive tobacco control.
Health Canada Evaluation
(2002)
 Analysis of latest independent investigation into retailer
behaviour regarding youth access to tobacco.
 Conclusion:
“For many reasons, “Operation ID’s” influence on
retailer tobacco sales to minors remains inconclusive.”
 Access at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecssesc/tobacco/research/access02/02e.html
The Ontario Medical
Association’s Position
Statement on Operation ID &
ID/School Zone can be
accessed at:
www.oma.org/phealth/
smokeandmirrors.htm
NOT TO KIDS! is a partnership of
public health agencies, community
members, school boards and retailers
in Ontario. Currently there are 15
public health agencies working as part
of this coalition to keep Ontario’s youth
smoke-free.
NTK:





Comprehensive in outlook
Educational based
Involves tobacco retailers, schools, youth, and the community
Enforcement capable
Sponsored by three levels of government
Visit NOT TO KIDS! at:
www.ntk.ca
Thank You
Please visit us at
www.ocat.org