The Event!

Radio interview, newspaper photo, and a whole lot of fun. The Bear River GYC completed its tobacco advocacy event with great success. We've Seen Enough, and we were able to let our community know we don't want to see any more tobacco advertising.

GYC waving to passing cars, standing outside local gas station.

Advertising at gas station convenience stores is one of the last places the tobacco industry is able to advertise. They use this space well, to attract young new smokers. Despite not being able to use many mass media outlets like T.V. or billboards to advertise, the tobacco industry uses retail outlets extremely well. Teens are most likely to smoke the 3 most heavily advertised brands of cigarettes, and most report seeing tobacco advertising all or most of the time when visiting a convenience store.

GYC walking down Main Street with their chains and banner.

Students of the Bear River GYC gathered outside a local convenience store with their signature chains of support and banners with the "We've Seen Enough" message on them. The group spent about an hour walking around town, past some of the major convenience outlets, raising awareness about tobacco advertising. The GYC collected enough interest that members of the community called the local paper to see what was going on. This was a great event to combine all the hard work students had put in all year long. We look forward to the day when we no longer have to be exposed to tobacco advertising.

Why We Advocate

The Bear River GYC has been working hard all year to prepare for an advocacy event against tobacco advertising. I know what you are thinking, but tobacco companies cannot advertise anymore, so what are you advocating against? It is true that the tobacco industry has been limited greatly in its promotion efforts, however, they still exist. Have you ever stopped to fill your car up with gas and noticed a Camel or Marlboro sign, or stopped in at a convenience store for a drink and a snack and noticed a huge display of cigarettes? The tobacco industry uses these methods effectively to attract young new smokers.

The 2012 Surgeon General's Report clearly outlines how successful tobacco advertising can be. While the tobacco industry continues to claim that its marketing is not targeted at teens, the majority of smokers started smoking before age 18. In fact 9 out of 10 smokers started smoking before they reached that milestone. How effective is advertising you might ask, sure kids start young, but that does not mean advertisements are driving use. Well more than 80% of underage smokers, smoke the three most heavily advertised brands. Hows that for proof? Not only that but 2/3 of teens report seeing tobacco advertising all or most of the time when they visit convenience stores.

The report goes on to mention how new tobacco products often appeal to youth. New spit-less tobacco is easy to hide while using, many cigarette-sized cigars come in candy and fruit flavors, and the industry driven myth that smoking makes you thin, all appeal to youth. Look at the package and coloring of new products, who do you think that appeals to?

Due to these findings and the lack of policies and enforcement of current policies, the Bear River GYC has taken a stand against tobacco advertising. We have collected over 3,400 pledges from individuals in our community in support of our efforts and we plan to display them in front of local stores to gain even more support against tobacco advertising. Tobacco advertising is there, it is effective, and We've Seen Enough!