Minors' Access to Tobacco

Test shopping and compliance and enforcement inspections of tobacco retailers have been strongly supported by the residents of Simcoe Muskoka as a means of keeping tobacco products out of the hands of youth. From the 2006 RRFSS survey, 86% (84.0%, 88.0%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults (ages 18+ years) supported the use of underage test shoppers to check if stores would sell cigarettes to minors (under 19 years old).

Also from RRFSS 2006 (Jan-Apr), 85% (81.4%, 88.9%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults (18+ years) said they believe stores that ignore the law and sell tobacco to young people should no longer be allowed to sell tobacco.

What is harder to control than retail purchases is the sale and supply of tobacco to youth by friends, parents, other relatives and strangers. Despite ongoing work to educate the public, fewer than half, 47% (42.1%, 52.5%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults (18+ years) surveyed in 2006 (Jan-Apr) correctly stated that 19 years of age is the legal age limit to purchase tobacco products in Ontario. In addition, 13% (10.0%, 16.7%) of adults (18+ years) reported they had been asked by a minor to give or buy them cigarettes in the past six months.

Another important way to keep tobacco products out of the hands of youth is to reduce the ability of the tobacco industry to market its products. In 2006, 68% (65.0%, 70.3%) of those surveyed in Simcoe Muskoka supported banning the display of cigarettes or other tobacco products in stores.