NH Tobacco Sales to Minors Drops in 2013

Tobacco sales to youth in New Hampshire dropped to 11.2% last year, down from 13.2% in 2012.

January 09, 2014

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Union Leader reports that tobacco sales to minors in New Hampshire dropped 2% in 2013 over 2012, citing data from the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS).

Recent compliance checks reveal that tobacco sales to youth in New Hampshire dropped to 11.2% percent in 2013, down from 13.2% in 2012.

"We have been working very closely with our partners at the Division of Liquor Enforcement (DLE), DHHS' Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and our Regional Public Health Networks to educate retailers about the health risks for youth to use tobacco," said BDAS director Joe Harding. "The drop in tobacco sales to youth is certainly a step in the right direction and shows our education efforts are helping."

The results point to increased vigilance among the state’s tobacco retailers, state officials said.

"We know that tobacco use among our youth causes both immediate and long-term damage," said New Hampshire Public Health director Dr. José Montero. "While this year's survey shows we are making progress in reducing access to tobacco use among our youth, we need to do more. The younger youth are when they start using tobacco, the more likely they will become addicted."

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