Well-meaning friends and family have urged him to quit, causing him stress that in turn leads to cravings for another smoke. And like many of today's teens, he bought tobacco illegally and lit up his first cigarette to forge friendships when he felt awkward and out of place in junior high school.
"It's a disgusting habit," he said. "But whether I'm smoking or not, having a cigarette is always on my mind."
To help prevent teens from buying tobacco at retail outlets and gas stations, among the favorite haunts for a chance at acquiring the products illegally, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has announced that ConocoPhillips Company has joined a growing list of businesses that have agreed to get tough on prevention.
Under the accord, ConocoPhillips is requiring all clerks to check photo ID's for customers making tobacco purchases who appear age 35 and under. It also is limiting in-store advertising. The agreement includes 40 states and 10,500 company-owned outlets and franchises nationwide, including 15 stores operated by ConocoPhillips and another 311 franchise-operated stores in Utah.
ConocoPhillips is the eighth retailer to sign on to the multistate agreement, which also covers Walgreens, Rite Aid, 7-Eleven stores, Wal-Marts and gas stations using the Exxon, Mobil, BP, ARCO and Amoco brands.
On another front, the "new frontier" in anti-smoking campaigns must also be aimed at teen's friends, aged 19 and older, who can legally buy tobacco products and then illegally supply minors with tobacco, said Marci Fjelstad, state health programs specialist.
"Our next step is developing more strategies to penalize the social sources supplying minors with tobacco, the people who don't usually get caught."
A 2003 survey of Utah high school students showed most either bummed or bought tobacco from friends and acquaintances or stole it from family members who smoke.
Most state penalties for supplying tobacco to minors target businesses that can be accessed hefty fines and suspension or revocation of tobacco licenses. By contrast, adults supplying tobacco to minors face a Class C misdemeanor, carrying up to $750 in fines and 90 days in jail. The average violation is about a $300 fine and no jail time, which will be one of the targets of a new enforcement effort.
In Utah, more than 35,000 teens use tobacco, representing nearly 12 percent of the state's youth. The state health department says minorities are especially vulnerable to developing the habit.
Overall, more than 80 percent of all adult smokers become regular users before the age of 18 - and nearly 90 percent do so before reaching age 20.
For teens and adults who want to quit, free counseling tailored to individual needs is available toll free by calling 1-888-567-TRUTH.
dawn@slstrib.com
