Furthermore, compared to the state average, the county has the lowest cigarette prices and more stores selling candy-, mintand liquor-flavored tobacco products, which may entice teenagers and lower-income residents, according to public health officials.
These findings are part of data released Wednesday on the availability and marketing of tobacco, alcohol and food products — both unhealthy and healthy — in stores that sell tobacco, and it has public health officials concerned.
This is the first time all three categories of products have been analyzed together.
The report marks the launch of Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community, a statewide campaign formed by tobacco prevention, alcohol prevention and nutrition advocates working in collaboration to inform Californians about the risks of marketing unhealthy products in stores. The campaign's primary goal is to shed light on which products are available and promoted in communities throughout the state.
Research shows that the marketing of products like tobacco and alcohol has a greater influence on youths than peer pressure, according to a news release.
"We have made great strides in tobacco control in recent years, but as the survey results show, the tobacco industry and other companies offering unhealthy items continue to find new products to entice our youth, like alcopops and flavored cigars, which are the same price as a pack of gum," William Mitchell, director of San Joaquin County Public Health Services, said in a written statement. "They are being marketed throughout our county, often in stores just a few blocks from schools."
In San Joaquin County, 21 percent of the 654 stores that sell tobacco are located within 1,000 feet of a school, according to state data.
Of the 120 stores reviewed for the survey, more than 50 percent sell tobacco at the checkstand, compared to 44 percent in Sacramento County and 39 percent statewide, making it more visible to people of all ages, health officials said.
"It is important to be aware of how the places we live and the resources that are available to us are influencing our health outcomes," Mitchell said.
In the past, Lodi police have set up stings using decoys in an attempt to crack down on local stores selling tobacco to minors.
In Sacramento County, survey results show that 85 percent of stores sell candy-, mintand liquor-flavored tobacco products like cigarillos.
"Cigarillos are available in kid-appealing flavors such as grape, watermelon, cherry and chocolate. It's not surprising that our kids are drawn to these products that look more like candy than a deadly product and are available at very cheap prices," Twila Laster, program manager of The SOL Project: Saving Our Legacy, African Americans for Smoke Free Safe Places, said in a news release.
The findings also show that electronic cigarettes are widely available in Sacramento County, alarming health officials and community partners.
More than 62 percent of stores there sell e-cigarettes, which is the second highest percentage in the state.
Statewide, the number of stores selling e-cigarettes nearly quadrupled in the last two years, from 12 percent in 2011 to 46 percent in 2013.
"This is yet another highly addictive product that is being aggressively marketed and showing up in retail stores," said Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. "The popularity and prevalence could undermine the great work we've done on tobacco use in California."
Figures were unavailable for San Joaquin County.
While survey results show that 83 percent of stores in San Joaquin County have advertising for unhealthy products on the outside of stores, only 9 percent have advertising for healthy items, such as milk or fruit and vegetables.
However, the county fared better in the number of stores accepting Cal Fresh and WIC — almost 66 percent compared to 53 percent statewide.
"We still have more work to do when it comes to reducing the prevalence of obesity and other chronic diseases in our communities, and it's important to remember we're in this together," Barb Alberson, senior deputy director of Policy and Planning at SJC Public Health Services, said in a news release.
Through community outreach and education, Public Health Services staff from the tobacco and nutrition programs plan to work together to support retailers in providing healthier options in their stores. Current activities include food demonstrations, nutrition education and youth engagement.
"By providing the necessary tools, information and support, minor modifications could be made to the retail environment, and Public Health Services staff, its partner organizations, and local retailers have the potential to make a large impact on the health of SJC residents," Alberson said.
Health advocates up and down the state released the survey results at 13 press events that took place simultaneously throughout California.
The data was collected by surveying more than 7,300 retail stores in California's 58 counties, including convenience stores, supermarkets, liquor stores, tobacco stores, small markets, discount stores, drugstores and big-box stores between July and October 2013.
Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews. com.
News Source: www.lodinews.com
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