1. Washington Communities for Tobacco Prevention Spokane Regional Health District Board of Health September 27, 2012

2. Presentation Overview 1.Tobacco background 2.Youth Access to Tobacco Law 3.Preemption 4.Where are we in 2012? 5.Benefits of Local Control

3. Tobacco in Washington state Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Washington – 7,600 deaths a year – Costs the state $1.6 Billion Demographic disparities persist

4. Tobacco in Spokane County In 2010, one in ten adolescents smoked, nearly 1 in 5 adults smoked Teen smoking rate did not decreased between 2005 and 2009, adult smoking rate decreased significantly The proportion of youth and adult smokers in Spokane County was significantly higher than that of Washington State

5. Tobacco Prevention and Control: A Winnable Battle Proven interventions reduce public health impact (taxes, clean indoor air policies). The three objectives are: 1.Protecting people from secondhand smoke – There is no safe level of exposure (Surgeon General 2010) 2.Helping people quit – Nearly 70% of smokers want to quit 3.Preventing youth from starting to use tobacco – 90% of adult smokers started before they were 18 years old

6. Washington is a leader in Tobacco Prevention and Control Low smoking rate (15.2% vs. 17.4% nationwide) Smoking in Public Places Law High tobacco taxes Despite success, we are at risk of loosing our ground because: Funding for a comprehensive program has been eliminated … so successes are likely to be reversed. In 2012, Tobacco Industry will spend over $122 million on marketing in Washington state

7. Youth Access to Tobacco Law Created by the Legislature in 1993: Restrictions on coupons, vending machines, sampling Requires retailers to be licensed to sell tobacco products (license costs $93) Penalties for selling to minors Preempts local governments from making tobacco regulations related to marketing and sales

8. What is preemption? A provision in state law which eliminates the power of local governments to regulate tobacco A tobacco industry tactic to shift the tobacco control battle away from communities to the state legislature, where its lobbyists are more influential Found in many areas of public health including obesity prevention, violence and injury prevention, etc.

9. Preemption is a tool of the Tobacco Industry Results in fewer restrictions on smoking and tobacco marketing and sales Halts local policy activity; ends public discussion, education and social norm change Decreases enforcement activity

10. Where are we in 2012? Funding virtually eliminated Youth still starting to smoke New authority because of FDA law Policy is low-cost, high impact Build on previous efforts Tobacco Industry still tricking our kids

12. Benefits of Local Control Allows tailoring of policies to fit a community’s needs Fosters accountability Historically, tobacco policies have been made and tested at the local level first Encourages innovation and progress

13. Health orgs in support of defeating preemption in tobacco control American Cancer Society American Heart Association American Lung Association American Medical Association American Public Health Association Americans for Non-Smoker’s Rights Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences National Association of County and City Health Officials National Association of Local Boards of Health The State Attorneys General Working Group on Tobacco United States Department of Health and Human Services

14. If preemption is repealed, what can community health leaders do? Discuss their local tobacco issues to determine if there are policy solutions they want to consider Local policy examples in places without preemption: – Tobacco Free Pharmacies in San Francisco – Flavored alternative tobacco restrictions in NYC and Providence, RI – Single cigar sales prohibitions in Huntington Park, CA (population 58,329)

15. Thank You! Joy Gilroy, MPH jgilroy@wsalpho.org 206-905-7773