Local Retailer Recognized for Youth Tobacco Prevention

Portland, Maine - Healthy Portland announced Tuesday, January 21st that SSS Brothers Smoke Shop has been recognized for their efforts to curb marketing of tobacco to youth. They have become a Star Store as a responsible retailer who takes seriously their role as a community member in reducing the visibility of tobacco advertising to kids.

“Reducing the volume of advertising that kids are exposed to can make a serious difference in preventing Maine’s youth from starting tobacco,” said Stephanie Pooler of Healthy Portland. “We’re extremely pleased that SSS Brothers has become Star Store certified, and encourage other retailers in the community to do the same.”

The objective of the Star Store program is to reduce the amount of minors’ exposure to tobacco promotional messaging in retail stores, such as special price and discount signage, free branded promotional items, and general tobacco company in-store posters, signs, and other visible logos. The Star Store program works in combination with NO BUTS! (Blocking Underage Tobacco Sales), the Maine CDC program to stop the illegal sale of tobacco to minors.

One-third of underage experimentation with smoking is attrib­uted to the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics. Studies also show that the more in-store tobacco advertising a retailer has, the more youth think that tobacco use is common and widespread.

SSS Brothers is a non-chain convenience store and gas station located 500 feet from Riverton School. The management team and staff reduced tobacco advertising by 50% and have no promotions or signs geared specifically towards youth, earning them a silver star of recognition.

Involvement of youth is a key component of the Star Store program. Youth from the Riverton Boys and Girls Club received special training to make contact with stores, meet with managers, conduct surveys, and then recommend changes in tobacco signage and promotion. A retailer’s Star Store designation can be displayed prominently in the store with a decal.

“The sad truth is that the tobacco industry spends $59 million in Maine alone each year to promote its products. That means that youth are exposed to clever, aggressive marketing that requires our diligence,” said Pooler. “The Star Store program is a great step that responsible retailers can take to help reduce Big Tobacco’s influence on kids.”

Healthy Portland is part of the City of Portland’s Public Health Division, located at 134 Congress Street. To learn more about Healthy Maine Partnerships, visit the website: http://www.healthymainepartnerships.org/