Tobacco Control Issues
Protecting Kids From Tobacco
Regulations Restricting the Sale, Distribution, and Marketing of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco: Consumer Fact Sheet
Scientists have proven the link between the advertising and
promotion of tobacco products and the use of these products by
teens. To protect kids from becoming addicted to tobacco products
and suffering the deadly effects of tobacco, the FDA Center for
Tobacco Products issued a new rule limiting the sale, distribution,
and marketing of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
Every day almost 3,450 kids under 18 try their first cigarette and
850 kids under 18 become daily smokers. Many of these kids will
become addicted before they are old enough to understand the risks
and may die too young of tobacco-related diseases. This is an
avoidable personal tragedy for those kids and their families. It is
also a preventable public health disaster for our
country.
The new rule, authorized by the Family Smoking Prevention and
Tobacco Control Act, bans the sale, distribution, and marketing of
cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to kids under age 18. Titled,
Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless
Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents, the rule became
effective on June 22, 2010. Just like the rule that bans certain
flavored cigarettes, these legal requirements help prevent our kids
from becoming the next generation of Americans to die early from
tobacco-related diseases.
New Federal Requirements: Sale and Distribution
- Prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18.
- Prohibits the sale of cigarette packages with fewer than 20 cigarettes.
- Prohibits the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in vending machines, self-service displays, or other impersonal modes of sales, except in very limited situations.
- Prohibits free samples of cigarettes and limits distribution of smokeless tobacco products.
New Federal Requirements: Marketing (Labeling, Advertising, and
Promotion)
- Prohibits tobacco brand name sponsorship of any athletic, musical, or other social or cultural event, or any team or entry in those events.
- Prohibits gifts or other items in exchange for buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products.
- Requires that audio advertisements use only words with no music or sound effects.
- Prohibits the sale or distribution of items, such as hats and tee shirts, with cigarette and smokeless tobacco brands or logos.
How You Can Help
You can be part of protecting the next generation from tobacco-related diseases. Please discuss with your children, grandchildren, and other members of your family and community the importance of reducing the access to and attractiveness of tobacco products to our children. Please help retailers in your community understand and comply with the new requirements. If you see any stores not following the new rule, please contact FDA by calling 1-877-287-1373 to report a violation.
Contact Us
1-877-CTP-1373
AskCTP@fda.hhs.gov
http://www.fda.gov/tobacco
FDA Center for Tobacco Products
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20850-3229
