The Sarasota County Commission took a bold step last week by unanimously passing a resolution urging local vendors to cease the sale and marketing of all candy-flavored tobacco products.
The resolution also urges residents not to purchase or use candy-flavored tobacco products in Sarasota County. Moved by the testimony of three youths, the commissioners approved stronger enforcement against tobacco-use near playgrounds at parks, in order to reduce children's exposure to secondhand smoke.
This is a big victory for the Sarasota County youths who are part of a Florida organization, Students Working Against Tobacco.
Comprised of middle and high school students, the members of 12 SWAT Clubs in Sarasota County passionately work to enlighten their peers and the community by counteracting pro-tobacco messages glamorizing tobacco use. Affecting policy change is part of their plan to work toward a tobacco-free future.
Under the federal Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the sale of cigarettes containing certain flavors — other than menthol — is illegal.
The law does not prevent the sale of menthol cigarettes or flavored tobacco products such as cigars, hookah or "snus," a type of smokeless, spitless tobacco similar to snuff.
Because not all flavored-tobacco products are illegal, support for the county resolution is imperative for protecting our youths.
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