Cheap, Flavored Tobacco Easily Accessible To Milwaukee Teens
Youth Access Rate Rises from 19% in 2017 to 25% in 2018
MILWAUKEE– One in four tobacco retailers in the City of Milwaukee sold tobacco or nicotine products to underage youth during 2018 compliance checks, according to newly released data from Wisconsin Wins. During the Wisconsin Wins compliance checks, minors attempt to purchase tobacco or nicotine products, including cheap, flavored cigarillos, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or single cigarettes. If they are successful, a Milwaukee police officer working with the minors writes a ticket on the spot or retailers can choose to sign up for the MARTS program (Milwaukee Achieving Responsible Tobacco Sales) to avoid citation.
The 25% rate of sale was an increase from the previous year (19%), making 2018 the second highest rate-of-sale since compliance checks began in 2009. A peak of 27% was seen in 2015.
“We are pleased with the work of the Wisconsin Wins Program to help restrict youth access to tobacco products. Hopefully, by including single cigarettes in the Wisconsin WINS compliance checks, this will bring the practice of selling single cigarettes to an end in Milwaukee,” said Baker Al-Qudsi, Vice President of Marketing at Hayat Pharmacy and co-chair of the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network’s single cigarettes subcommittee.
Completed Sales out of Attempted Purchases for Each Product
- 2 e-cigarettes sold out of 30 attempts
- 0 single cigarettes out of 12 attempts
- 0 cigarette packs out of 4 attempts
- 118 flavored cigarillos out of 441 attempts
While the overall rate of sale was 25% in Milwaukee, various zip codes within the city saw more sales than others: 53208 stood at 43%, and 53211 at 56%. 53202 stood at 5%, while 53203 had 0% sales to minors. Sales in 53206 went down, from 55% to 31%.
Despite the increase in sales overall, over 4 in 5 (81%) of retailers checked ID before a transaction.
The Wisconsin Wins compliance checks were conducted through a partnership between the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance at Community Advocates, Neu-Life Community Development, Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network, and the Milwaukee Police Department’s License Investigation Unit.
To learn more about the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance or the Wisconsin Wins compliance checks, contact Anneke Mohr at amohr@communityadvocates.net or 414-270-2948.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute
Join the Discover Wellness Walk on May 18
May 13th, 2024 by Community Advocates Public Policy InstituteThis family-friendly community event supports mental wellness. Cathedral Square Park | May 18 | 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Community Advocates, Hayat Pharmacy & Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition Mark National Safety Month with Keep Your Meds Safe Summer Initiative
Jun 20th, 2022 by Community Advocates Public Policy InstituteThree simple steps can keep your family safe