Sierra County Tobacco Use Reduction Program is a local program that works to reduce youth access to tobacco. The program implements undercover Youth Tobacco Purchase Surveys (YTPS) as a means of assisting tobacco retailers by informing them whether or not employees are following proper procedure and guidelines for requesting identification of underage tobacco purchasers.

Employees who correctly follow the proper procedures and guidelines for requesting identification during the purchase of tobacco products are assets to our communities as they help in reducing illegal tobacco sales to minors and help in protecting our youth from the dangers of tobacco use.

Why is it important to reduce sales of tobacco products to minors?

• 90% of smokers begin at or before the age of 18,
• 1000 youth under 18 become new regular daily smokers,
• 596,000 California youth under 18 will ultimately die prematurely from tobacco use.

During the last Youth Tobacco Purchase Surveys 40% of the 5 tobacco retailers surveyed in Sierra County sold tobacco products to minors. The Tobacco Use Reduction Program offers free Tobacco Retailer Training to merchants and their employees. The Sierra County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board/Tobacco Coalition is looking to find practical solutions to the problem of illegal tobacco sales to minors in our communities. If you would like to participate in this process, please call 993-6745 or email prevention@sierracounty.ws.