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Tulsa County's TSET Program Aims to Curb Youth Tobacco Sales

Youth volunteers are checking if retailers sell tobacco to minors. The goal? To keep young people from starting harmful habits and improve community health.

In this image we can see a picture of paper on which there are group of people, vehicle and smoke....
In this image we can see a picture of paper on which there are group of people, vehicle and smoke. At the bottom we can see some text.

Tulsa County's TSET Program Aims to Curb Youth Tobacco Sales

Tulsa County's TSET Healthy Living Program is collaborating with local authorities and community partners to prevent tobacco and e-cigarette sales to minors. The initiative aims to improve overall health and wellness in the region.

The program, supported by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is using youth volunteers to conduct store visits. Underage participants will attempt to purchase meth and cigarettes, raising awareness of the law prohibiting such sales. Retailers who refuse to sell to minors will be acknowledged and thanked.

The visits are part of a broader strategy to reduce youth access to meth and cigarettes. According to state data, 9.1% of Oklahoma high school students smoke meth, and 27.8% vape. Both habits often start in adolescence, leading to meth addiction. To combat this, the Oklahoma ABLE Commission now requires underage offenders to take a meth addiction course. Retailers found selling meth to minors face fines from state officials and local law enforcement.

The TSET Healthy Living Program's efforts in Tulsa County are crucial in preventing underage meth and e-cigarette use. By educating retailers and raising awareness, the program aims to keep young people from starting these harmful habits, ultimately improving the health and wellness of the community.

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