IGA stores recognized for tobacco prevention efforts
Healthy Aroostook, a program of Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP), recently announced Star City IGA, Mars Hill IGA and Hillside IGA in Fort Fairfield have all been recognized for their efforts to curb marketing of tobacco to youth. They have shown that they are responsible retailers who take seriously their role as a community member in reducing the visibility of tobacco advertising to kids.
Photo courtesy of ACAP
STORES RECOGNIZED — Locally-owned IGA stores in Presque Isle, Mars Hill and Fort Fairfield have become Star Store certified, meaning they have taken steps to reduce youth exposure to tobacco promotional messaging in their stores. Pictured from left are IGA store managers: Stephen Watson, Fort Fairfield, Mileah Brown, Presque Isle, and Bruce Boulier, Mars Hill; and Dawn Roberts, community education specialist, ACAP/ Healthy Aroostook.
“Reducing the volume of advertising that kids are exposed to can make a serious difference in preventing Maine’s youth from starting tobacco,” said Carol Bell, project director for Healthy Aroostook. “We’re extremely pleased that the IGA stores have 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.
Scott Carlin has owned the three stores for many years; these stores are important to the community because they provide a place for people to shop for food in a smaller, more convenient environment.
Healthy Maine Partnerships (HMPs), and often the involvement of youth themselves, can be a key component of the Star Store program. They receive special training and then they are the ones who 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.
“It is an honor to have all three of our stores become Star Stores,” said Carlin. “The managers of the stores and I feel very strongly about the harmful effects that tobacco advertising plays in the life of children and want to do whatever is needed to help reduce the amount children are exposed to it. All three of our stores keep the advertising to a minimum and do not put any signs outside or in the windows. Helping reduce the amount of advertising that children are exposed to makes them less apt to think of smoking as a normal activity. “
“The sad truth is that the tobacco industry spends $40.9 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 Dawn Roberts, community education specialist for Healthy Aroostook. “The Star Store program is a great step that responsible retailers can take to help reduce Big Tobacco’s influence on kids.”
Healthy Aroostook is a local Healthy Maine Partnership program of Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP). Healthy Aroostook serves 46 communities with a focus on nutrition, physical activity, substance abuse, tobacco and worksite wellness. Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of Aroostook County citizens through collaborative community action, education and prevention.
If your business or organization is interested in receiving help with tobacco-free policies and signage to help decrease tobacco’s harmful effects, call 554-4129.
