Tobacco Sales to Youth, Regulation of

TOBACCO SALES TO YOUTH, REGULATION OF

Governments often use regulatory powers to protect the health of citizens. In 1854 Dr. John Snow investigated the source of a cholera outbreak. Based on his evidence, local authorities closed the contaminated Broad Street water pump. A century later, epidemiological studies began to implicate tobacco as an agent of chronic illness. As evidence and public concern increases, authorities are being compelled to control tobacco. Comparable to closing the contaminated water supply at Broad Street, governments seek to restrict the supply of tobacco from prospective young smokers. One strategy is to control retail outlets by licensing tobacco vendors, ensuring customers meet the minimum age requirement, usually eighteen, at the point of purchase, and monitoring vending machines. Some state legislation also allows punishment of the underage customer, but this has been criticized as "blaming the victim."

Ronald A. Dovell

(see also: Enabling Factors; Tobacco Control )