Duncan Joins Ewing To Urge Passage Of Tobacco Legislation

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CONTACT: Mary Anderson, 240-777-6534

DUNCAN JOINS EWING TO URGE
PASSAGE OF TOBACCO LEGISLATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 18, 2000

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today applauded County Councilmember Blair Ewing and urged passage of Ewing's proposed legislation, Tobacco Products Placement Bill 23-00. The legislation would require retailers to keep cigarettes and other tobacco products behind the counter and out of the reach of children. In addition, the bill is aimed at preventing shoplifting of tobacco products.

"This legislation is one more step, and a very important one, in limiting children's access to tobacco," said Duncan. "We want to make it more difficult for kids to get cigarettes because we want to keep them from becoming addicted to nicotine."

Duncan and Ewing joined members of Students Oppose Smoking (SOS) at Market on the Boulevard in Cabin John, a retailer that voluntarily keeps tobacco products out of sight and out of reach of children. A recent survey by members of SOS found that about 85 percent of stores in Montgomery County have some tobacco products that can be shoplifted easily.

"I am very pleased that Mr. Duncan has joined us in support of this bill," said Ewing. "This will protect the health of young people under 18 and protect businesses from loss due to shoplifting."

County and State laws prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors, and in July 1998, Board of License Commissioners began inspections of more than 800 retailers in Montgomery County. To date, 542 citations have been issued for the illegal sale of tobacco to minors. Persons (and licensed owners) selling tobacco to minors face a $500 civil citation for the first violation, and $750 for a second or subsequent offense.

Duncan and Ewing were presented with copies of a poster and video public service announcement developed by two Montgomery County teens who are former smokers. Patricia Garcia and Javid Farazad took their personal experiences and designed a PSA, which they hope will motivate other teen smokers to quit. Ten thousand posters and copies of the PSA will be distributed this week to middle and high schools, community recreation centers, shopping malls and theaters.

In addition, Students Oppose Smoking will present a report at the public hearing, scheduled for tomorrow evening, September 19, outlining their experience in scouting local retailers for the placement of tobacco products and the ease of shoplifting them.

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