Unit 4 Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 296 L esson 9.1 discussed how tobacco products harm the body and negatively affect a person’s health, as well as other people’s health. In Lesson 9.2, you learned that tobacco products are very addictive, and it can be difficult to quit using them. Quitting is possible, however. Of course, the best option to prevent tobacco use is never to begin using tobacco products. If someone who uses a tobacco product wants to quit, there are different methods to help with withdrawal symptoms. In this lesson, you will explore ways to prevent tobacco use as well as some strategies for breaking a nicotine addiction. Preventing Tobacco Use Did you know that most adults who use tobacco products started this habit when they were teens? Avoiding a lifetime of tobacco use starts now, based on the decisions you make today. In the United States, smoking costs society an estimated $289 billion a year in healthcare costs. Given the serious threat to public health, both federal and state governments have strategies to regulate the sales, use, cost, and advertisements of tobacco products (Figure 9.19). Organizations have created mass media campaigns and public service announcements discouraging What the Government Is Doing to Prevent Tobacco Use Sales Restrictions • Sale of tobacco products is prohibited to anyone under 21 years old. • Tobacco companies cannot add flavoring to their products. • Age verification is required when buying tobacco products online. Ad Restrictions • Warning labels are required on all tobacco product packaging. • Advertisements and product packaging have strict restrictions on language (“light” or “mild”) and color (bright colors to appeal to young people). State Bans • In some states, smoking and vaping is banned in public places — workplaces, bars, and restaurants. • Some states’ bans include all three locations, and some only one or two. • There is currently no federal law banning smoking and vaping. Increased Taxes • Raising federal, state, and local taxes on tobacco products helps discourage people from buying them. • The more expensive tobacco products are, the less people want to spend money on them and instead buy things they need. Anti- Campaigns • Many anti- campaigns use personal experiences to show the long-term negative effects of tobacco use. • Youth-oriented campaigns focus on refusal skills and show that a lot of young people do not vape or use tobacco products. Figure 9.19 The United States government focuses on preventing nicotine use and helping tobacco users quit by using a variety of methods. What is the name for media messages that support public health?