During the summer of 2009, 13 community coalitions encompassing 41 cities, villages and townships in Oakland County, conducted educational visits to 400+ businesses which sell tobacco products. These businesses were reminded to check ID of youth attempting to purchase tobacco products and the penalties associated with failure to comply with the Michigan Youth Tobacco Act. These visits were followed by random, unannounced federal inspections to check for compliance with a law known as the Synar Amendment (establishes a requirement that a minimum of 20% of the retailers inspected in the State of Michigan must refuse to sell to minors.)

What happens if they don't? Failure to comply with Synar can result in a loss of as much as 40% of substance abuse prevention and treatment (SAPT) Block Grant funds to Michigan. "To lose that money would be a tragedy considering the present state of the economy and the increased demand for services", said Kathleen Altman, Prevention Coordinator of the Office of Substance Abuse Services. Fortunately, here in Oakland County- thanks to the diligent work of the community prevention coalitions and their law enforcement partners- only 5 of the 50 assigned retailers (10%) were willing to sell to the Synar youth inspector. That's good news for Oakland County and for the State of Michigan with an unofficial state-wide rate of 14%. Keeping kids from easy retail access is just one part of the larger environmental strategy to keep kids from nicotine addiction. Talk to someone at your local coalition to find out how you can get involved.

Melanie Harbison
Public Health Educator
Designated Youth Tobacco Use Representative
Oakland County Health Division
harbisonm@oakgov.com