Missoula Community Health Leaders Seek to Limit the Sale of Sweet Tobacco Products in Convenience Stores

Local community health leaders are preparing to send a letter to the Missoula City Council asking them to consider a measure that would limit the sale of sweet flavored tobacco products in convenience stores. 

You can review the complete letter and sign it here.   

Below is a brief synopsis of the letter:

• In convenience stores around Missoula and across Montana, tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are marketed in sweet flavors and bright packaging.
• In many stores, these products are placed within reach of kids, often near gum and candy.
• Communities across the nation have addressed these youth-targeted tactics by prohibiting the sale of flavored products and by prohibiting self-serve access to tobacco products in stores that are open to minors.
• In 2017, 46.6 percent of Montana high school students said they have used electronic smoking devices and 22.5 percent said they are regular users.
• E-cigarettes, cigarillos, smokeless tobacco and tobacco products other than cigarettes come in an abundance of sweet flavors.
• Youth say product flavoring is a top reason why they use tobacco products.
• In Montana, 400 children now under age 18 become daily smokers each year, and 19,000 children now under age 18 will die prematurely due to smoking.