For the first time in the history of the Synar program rate of tobacco sales to minors has increased.
The national weighted average rate of tobacco sales to minors (RVR) as reported by States and the District of Columbia in their Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2009 Annual Synar Reports is 10.9 percent. This represents an increase in the weighted RVR from FFY 2008—the first time in the history of the Synar program that the average RVR has increased.The increase in the average RVR may be due to States reducing the number of enforcement inspections they conduct in the face of State budget cuts.
[FFY 2009 is the fourth year in Synar history for which the Secretary found no State out of compliance with the Synar requirements.]
…As the data show, if we can stop youth from beginning to smoke while they are underage, the chance that they will become smokers as adults is greatly reduced.
FACTS
- Tobacco use is the leading cause of death and disease in the United States.
- Each year, tobacco use results in more deaths than AIDS, unintentional injuries, suicide, homicide, and alcohol and drug abuse combined
- 80 percent of adult smokers who are nicotine dependent report that they started smoking before the age of 18
