Posted at: 07/29/2010 6:55 PM
By: Lorilyn Prestidge

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Law Targets Teens and Tobacco

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- It's not just cigarettes anymore; major changes are coming to how stores can market all tobacco products.

Within the next 72 hours, all items containing tobacco will now have to be behind the counter.

They're convenient store top sellers.

"I'd say 3/4 of the people that come in here probably buy cigarettes," said gas station attendant, Bobby Hutchinson.

But it's not just cigarettes anymore that will have to be behind the counter starting Sunday new laws will send all tobacco products in Minnesota there because of increased concerns.

"You notice when you go into the convenient store the signs for tobacco and alcohol they are targeted at youth," said Albert Lea Police Lieutenant, J.D. Carlson.

"The tobacco companies are doing a good job of changing their marketing schemes and their product developments to target the younger user," said Director of Freeborn County Public Health, Lois Ahern.

Health officials are most worried about new colorful, flashy products, including sticks, which look like a pretzel stick, orbs, which are the size of a ticktack, and strips that are similar to Listerine strips.

"They all dissolve in your mouth so the nicotine is absolved in your mouth, so it is smokeless but individuals probably are getting two to three times the amount of nicotine in these products compared to cigarette," said Ahern.

"When you make things taste like candy, sugary, bright colors it's takes the seriousness of it, and all the trouble that come along with it," said Carlson.

Local officials say tobacco is the second highest used drug.
 
And for convenient store user Bobby Hutchinson, he says he's worried about his younger siblings getting their hands on these products.

"My grandpa died of cancer in 2004. So it's one of those things I watch out for," said shopper Bobby Hutchinson.

Local law enforcement and health officials hope putting all products containing tobacco on the back shelves will make the difference.

Health officials say cigarette companies are likely marketing many of the new products because of new smoke-free laws, not all the smoke-less products are in Minnesota yet, but officials say it's only a matter of time.

The new laws take effect August 1.