In your Aug. 24 issue of the Free Lance, an article about San
Benito County stores selling tobacco product to minors misses a
very important point! Law enforcement says they don’t have enough
officers to enforce the carding laws and to fine the stores.
Editor,
In your Aug. 24 issue of the Free Lance, an article about San Benito County stores selling tobacco product to minors misses a very important point! Law enforcement says they don’t have enough officers to enforce the carding laws and to fine the stores. They do however, have the officers patrolling near the schools in the afternoons when students finish and do observe them smoking. The law states that it is illegal for a minor to have any tobacco product on them ( not just the act of smoking ). If and when students are observed smoking, stop them, give them a ticket, have them pay the fine and perform the community service that the law states. Involve the parents too!
The act of smoking or chewing tobacco by our youth often leads to society having to pay for their future medical needs when they become adults. Their families also suffer the consequences of this unhealthy habit. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause lung, throat, mouth and tongue cancer. It’s not enough to just say no!
Students need to see the consequences of their own actions. Show them examples of black lungs, of speaking and breathing through a tube in the throat. These visual examples leave long, lasting impressions and can hopefully stop the habit or prevent the young person from starting. It can be a part of studies at school, church and youth groups regarding health, P.E., athletics, human biology etc. Peer interaction is very effective too!
Where are the officers from Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms? Do they or can they be involved some way? Where is the state funding going and the tobacco funds paid from the high tobacco taxes? Let’s take back our community and have a healthy society!
Ruth Erickson, Hollister
