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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandouts_Regular_Tab 05_07/11/2013 Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, Inc. 209 Office Plaza Drive, Tailahassee, Florida 32301-2807 T: 850.877.5178 � F: 850.877.5864 MA fpma@fpma.or� � www.fpma.org July 11, 2013 The Village of Tequesta Mayor Abby Brennan and Council Members 345 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 Dear Council Members: In recent years, the public health community has expressed concern that tobacco products with characterizing flavors other than tobacco are packaged, advertised, and marketed in a manner that may appeal to youth. Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenient Store Association (FPMA) shares the concerns of the public health community and other stakeholders regarding underage tobacco use. As responsible business owners and sales people of tobacco products intended for adults, we have an important role in helping to prevent underage tobacco use. We take this responsibility seriously by requiring valid identification upon purchase and by monitoring any illegal activity. FPMA also works to help reduce underage tobacco use by supporting the enactment of appropriate federal and state legislation to help prevent underage access to tobacco products, by making all tobacco product sales non self-service and supporting efforts to enhance and enforce minimum age laws. While reducing underage tobacco use is an important goal for our members and communities, the prohibition of all tobacco products with characterizing flavors other than tobacco is not an effective way to address the issue of underage tobacco use. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulatory authority over tobacco products specifically prohibits the sale of cigarettes with characterizing flavors other than tobacco and menthol. We believe this federal standard achieves an appropriate balance befinreen legitimate adult consumer choices and stakeholder concerns about certain flavored cigarettes. You may have been contacted by an organization requesting support for the passage of a resolution or ordinance that is contrary to current law and not practical for addressing underage tobacco usage. FPMA believes that programs such as "We Card" and "Right Decisions, Right Now" in collaboration with education from parents and teachers help prevent underage tobacco use. Additionally, Florida is currently considering more strict penalties associated with youth possession of tobacco. b ��' John Tiffany, Chairman 2012/2013 Summit Shah, Chair-Elect JV�1�� I�Ild��r� l..11dll llldll L.ViL�LViJ JY��I�t1�b JI�O��� \.IIO11-LlCl.l Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, Inc. 209 Office Plaza Drive, Tatlahassee, Fiorida 32301-2807 T: 850.877.5178 � F: 850.877.5864 MA fprna@fpma.or� � www.fpma.crg We strongly urge you to refrain from passing this type of regulation as it currently exists at the federal level and would not address the issues related to minors using tobacco products. FPMA and our communities, families, friends and teachers plan to do our part and continue to encourage educational programs highlighting prevention. Thank you for your time and consideration. Regards, � �� (;; �, Whitney "Stoney" Smith Convenience Store Committee Chairman �� � r l �',lti�✓� ��1 1,�«�.,-,�:�j� Ned Bowman Executive Director John Tiffany, Chairman 2012/2 Summit Shah, Chair-Elect