(From Press Release) – New research shows that the availability of e-cigarettes in Yolo County has grown 60% since 2013. This finding is part of new research released by the California Tobacco Control Program today on the availability and marketing of tobacco products, alcohol, condoms and healthy and unhealthy food options in California stores that sell tobacco.
Today, throughout California, health advocates held 13 press events to release results of the scientific survey, which is the largest of its kind. It builds upon initial research released three years ago in March 2014 and provides insights into the availability and marketing of the studied products. Information was collected in the summer of 2016 from more than 7,100 stores in all 58 California counties including pharmacies, supermarkets, delis, convenience and liquor stores, and tobacco-only stores.
“The findings show that many stores throughout Yolo County are promoting unhealthy products much more than healthy products,” said Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Ron. “Stores play an important role in people’s health, and we encourage stores to consider selling and advertising healthy products, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.”
One goal of the survey was to examine the accessibility and marketing of healthy and unhealthy products to youth.
“This survey found that our youth are regularly exposed to unhealthy messages and choices,” said Dr. Chapman. “Children and youth need to see more messages about healthy choices which will have a positive influence on their health for the rest of their lives.”
The survey found the following for Yolo County:
- E-cigarettes saw a significant increase in Yolo County stores with 73% carrying them in 2016, up from 46% in 2013.
- 84% of stores sold “little cigars” or cigarillos. Of the stores that sold a popular brand of “little cigars” – which come in kid-friendly flavors such as grape, strawberry and chocolate – 80% sold them individually for less than one dollar.
- 80% of stores sold flavored tobacco products and 75% of those stores were located near schools.
- More than 32% of stores placed tobacco products or ads in kid-friendly locations, such as at ‘kid-level’ (three feet or below) or near candy and toys.
“The expanded availability and marketing of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products are of particular concern and reflect the spike in use by teens and young adults in the last three years,” said Dr. Chapman. “A recent ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products in the unincorporated cities is one of the latest steps that Yolo County has taken to protect youth from tobacco use.”
Along with the availability of tobacco products, the survey also looked at availability and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages, and healthy beverages, alcohol and condoms.
The survey found the following for Yolo County:
- Only 19% of stores advertised healthy products on their storefronts, but 67% advertised unhealthy products.
- 29% of stores placed alcohol ads at “kid-level” or near kid-friendly items. This percent did decrease from 2013 when nearly 70% of stores had alcohol ads in kid-friendly areas.
- Alcopops – flavored alcohol products often made to look like juices, sodas or energy drinks – were sold in 80% of stores.
- Over 50% of stores placed sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas near the checkout stand. In contrast, only 41% of stores carried fresh fruits and vegetables or low- or non-fat milk anywhere in the store.
- 80% of stores sold condoms, but only 59% sold them on unlocked shelves.
Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community is a statewide campaign formed by tobacco prevention, nutrition, alcohol abuse prevention and STD prevention partners collaborating to improve the health of Californians by informing them about the impact of unhealthy product availability and marketing in the retail environment.
For state and county-specific data and more information on Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community, please visit: www.healthystoreshealthycommunity.com.
I am confused about the inclusion of condoms in this list of “unhealthy” products. I see the use of a condom as a very healthy and responsible choice. The use of the product, as opposed to all of the others listed as “unhealthy” has no adverse health consequences and may indeed protect one’s health preventing both STDs and undesired pregnancy.
The confusion here seems to be the mistaken attitude that the choice to have sexual relations and the choice to use a condom are one and the same. They are not. While the choice to have sex may be an unhealthy and/or undesirable choice ( or not), the choice to use a condom can only be beneficial. This is a mistaken interpretation of cause and effect. One chooses to have sex because of a biological drive not because of the presence of condoms. One chooses to use a condom because of the recognition that it will reduce the risks associated with sexual activity.
I don’t think they were calling condoms an unhealthy product. From the above line, it sounds like they were criticizing stores for having them on unlocked shelves. Is that so that kids who couldn’t afford them or were too embarrassed to buy them could simply steal them if they needed them?
Alan
Point taken. But since I think that we would all be better off if they were free anyway…. I am all for having them in big bins near the front door.
I find it odd that the Vanguard has an article about stores selling unhealthy products on the same day that it has an article advocating for recreational marijuana dispensaries in Davis. Marijuana has many unhealthy effects.
I don’t just publish stuff I personally agree with
Keith
“Marijuana has many unhealthy effects.”
As do cigarettes, alcohol, sugary beverages, candy bars, oxycontin, and most prescription medications ( side effects). However, amongst all of the over the counter products listed, only marijuana also has medical benefits some of which can lower the need for opioids which are much more harmful than marijuana.
I’m a bit confused the purpose of this study. All these products are legal. Yeah, all sorts of things are bad for kids and adults, but stores can sell anything that is legal. It’s also a known among the business community that “the bigger the sin, the bigger the profit” (as one leg of the profit stool). You don’t put a big sign in your window and make a killing by advertising “Apples! Apples! Apples!”. Sure plenty of exceptions, but if one store doesn’t sell the sin, another store will open up and fill the void. Speaking for myself as an under 21 college student in Davis, when we wanted alcohol, availability was rarely an obstacle — we continued undaunted until we found it. So it is with many things.
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The deadliest item sold in Davisville, particularly for children and teens, yet no mention?