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Tobacco Retailers

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Synar Information

The federal Synar Amendment requires states to enact laws that prohibit the sale and distribution of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18, and to effectively enforce those laws. Under Synar, tobacco products have been defined as cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and loose pipe tobacco. Though this is the current primary focus, we know that today tobacco products come in more flavors, forms, shapes and sizes, and with more unproven health claims than ever before.

The guiding premise is:

While we have made tremendous progress over the past 50 years, sustained and comprehensive efforts are needed to prevent more people from having to suffer the pain, disability, disfigurement, and death that smoking causes. Most Americans who have ever smoked have already quit, and most smokers who still smoke want to quit. If we continue to implement tobacco prevention and cessation strategies that have proven effective in reducing tobacco use, people throughout our country will live longer, healthier, more productive lives. [22]
Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., Director
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

22. Keeping Tobacco Away From Kids: Retailer Education Kit