Tobacco use prevention

Addressing tobacco use is a state priority.

• Nine out of 10 smokers start by age 18, and 99 percent start by age 26 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017).
• 104,000 youth alive today will die prematurely from smoking (The Health & Economic Toll of Commercial Tobacco in Washington State).
• The emergence of vapor products (also called electronic cigarettes) has raised serious concern. Nicotine use can adversely affect brain development.

Tobacco use by youth in Washington State:

• Among current vapor product users, nicotine is the most common substance 10th grade youth report as 'vaped' (Healthy Youth Survey, 2023).
• Among 10th grade youth who use tobacco or vapor products, 68 percent report acquiring the products through social sources (Healthy Youth Survey, 2018).

What is Washington doing to prevent tobacco use?

Tobacco and vapor 21

In early 2019, Engrossed House Bill 1074 was passed. Effective January 1, 2020, it will be illegal to sell tobacco or vapor products to anyone under 21. For individuals and community groups working to raise awareness and understanding of the new law, a Community Education Packet is available. Consider visiting the following website for additional information and resources:

• www.doh.wa.gov/tobacco-and-vapor-21
• www.lcb.wa.gov/tobacco-vapor-21

In late 2019, the age to purchase tobacco was raised to 21 with the signing of some Federal appropriations.

State-wide initiatives focused on tobacco

Prevention strategies are being implemented throughout the state at local, county, and state levels, across the Continuum of Care that influence multiple domains and risk and protective factors. Here is a list of some state-wide initiatives focused specifically on tobacco:

• Washington State Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Control Five-Year Strategic Plan 2021-2025 - provides goals, strategies, and tactics that guide tobacco prevention and control throughout Washington State. The development of this plan was facilitated by the Washington State Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Control Program.
• Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program (including vapor products) - Washington State Department of Health.
• Washington Breathes is a statewide coalition of diverse organizations and individuals working to eliminate the harmful use of commercial tobacco and other nicotine products.
• Multi-agency efforts to ensure compliance with the Synar Amendment.

Synar stakeholder information

The Synar Amendment requires states to enact and enforce laws prohibiting the sale or distribution of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18. Each state is required to completed unannounced compliance checks of tobacco retailers and report the violation rate annually to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Washington State Synar stakeholder information:

• Synar roles/responsibilities of state agencies
• Typical Synar timeline

Resources

• DBHR’s Washington's Best Practices for Substance Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Guide
• Washington State Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Control Five-Year Strategic Plan 2021-2025
• Tobacco - Department of Health
• Smoking & Tobacco Use – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Youth Tobacco Prevention – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Youth Engagement in Tobacco Prevention & Control – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Surgeon General Tobacco Reports and Publications

Retailer education

Community groups can play a key part in keeping tobacco and vapor products out of the hands of youth by reaching out to their local retailers. Here are some resources to help:

• Script for taking with a Retailer
• Year to Date Signs – available in English, Korean and Spanish. Signs for 2024 to be posted soon.
• Tips for retailers
• No Smoking Sign (Washington Clean Indoor Air Act)
• Infographic - for Store Owners & Managers
• Infographic - for Sales Clerks

Community library - Tobacco, nicotine, and vaping

Community library - tobacco

Community library - e-cigarettes and vape

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Who can I contact for more information about tobacco use prevention?

Ray Horodowicz
Prevention System Manager
Ray.Horodowicz@hca.wa.gov