Thank you for backing our efforts in establishing a Tobacco
Retailing Licensing program in the city of Hollister. Your support
has shed light on the seriousness of the problem, something we have
been trying to do for years. You also believe, like we do, that
laws should be enforced, bottom line. Shouldn’t we be concerned
with youth smoking?
Editor,
Thank you for backing our efforts in establishing a Tobacco Retailing Licensing program in the city of Hollister. Your support has shed light on the seriousness of the problem, something we have been trying to do for years. You also believe, like we do, that laws should be enforced, bottom line. Shouldn’t we be concerned with youth smoking?
These articles have raised the awareness that our community has a very serious problem, 33 percent of the merchants who sell tobacco products sell to minors, equaling one in every three stores.
Tobacco is a gateway drug, meaning that smoking at a young age may lead youth down the road of exploring other drugs. If a youth becomes hooked on drugs then families, law enforcement and the court system would then have greater challenges in dealing with jail time, fines, probation, drug treatment programs, loss of productivity and so on. Nobody wants this. It only makes sense to curtail this behavior before it begins. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
A multi-faceted approach, such as establishing a licensing program, increasing educational resources to youth, and enforcing the laws will make Hollister a healthier, safer place for our youth.
Thanks again and keep up the great work!
Sam Perez, Hollister
