Learning Objectives: Understand that a negative outcome and subsequent penalty can actually result in beneficial youth prevention and policy enforcement outcomes.
Abstract: Due to being out of compliance with SYNAR regulations, West Virginia faced a $801,000 penalty in FY02. After negotiations and Federal approval, the West Virginia Tobacco Prevention Program was allowed to utilize all of these penalty funds toward intervention programs specific to prevention of illegal sales of tobacco to youth.
Methods and areas of intervention included a statewide tobacco retailer education program, an adjuct tobacco retailer inspection program, a statewide, school-based, age-specific (elementary, middle, and high school) educational program, and a pilot project to study the effect of placing identification 'scanners' in tobacco retailer stores. Interventions & evaluation of results of the various elements are on-going at the time of this abstract being written.
The audience of those interested in youth tobacco prevention efforts should be enabled to learn of a mandated program that was developed into four innovative elements addressing illegal tobacco sales to youth, and the significantly positive results and benefits of same.
Back to Posters
Back to Tobacco Use Prevention Among Youth
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health