What steps can we take?

American Medical Association Recommendations.

• 1. Educate regarding the "predatory" nature of the tobacco industry.
• 2. Medical schools and researchers should refuse any funding from tobacco companies and their subsidiaries.
• 3. Politicians should not accept money from the tobacco industry and the public should be informed of politicians who take tobacco money.
• 4. Support OCEA smoke-free workplaces nationwide.
• 5 Support local laws against public smoking.
• 6. Support state laws against public smoking.
• 7. Purchase of tobacco by adults only with, severe penalties against those who sell to children. Ban all tobacco advertising and counter-advertise.
• 8. Enforce laws against indirect tobacco advertising (TV sports).
• 9. Tobacco is a drug delivery vehicle and should be regulated by the FDA.
• 10. Taxes on tobacco should be dramatically increased.
• 11. Prevent the export of tobacco.
• 12. Support NCI research on control of tobacco.
• 13. Recovery of excess medical costs from tobacco related diseases now paid by the federal government by legal action against tobacco companies.
• 14. "All avenues of individual and collective redress should be pursued through the judicial system."

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Illustration: Convenience store in Arcadia, CA approximately 100 yards from the First Avenue Junior High School. Note that the multiple Joe the Camel advertisments have been thoughtfully placed at eye level for children.

Operation Storefront: Youth Against Tobacco Advertising and Promotion conducted a large survey of marketing practices in California that demonstrated how the tobacco industry spends $4 billion of it's advertising dollars on storefront ads. Among the more striking, statistically significant, findings were the following.

• 1. Average 25.26 tobacco ads per store
• 2. Higher number of ads in stores within 1000 feet of schools
• 3. Higher number of exterior ads near schools
• 4. Significantly higher number of tobacco ads in stores that have tobacco ads next to candy
• 5. Significantly higher number of tobacco ads in stores that have tobacco ads placed below three feet (eye level for children).
• 6. More than half of stores have no posted anti-smoking message (in violation of state law).