According to internal tobacco industry documents, the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH), which administers the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADA), was listed in 1994 as a major political ally of the industry, assisting the industry in its failed effort to pass Synar legislation that would have preempted stricter local youth access laws. In 1996, Governor Mel Carnahan designated ADA, which had a lack of commitment to state youth access efforts to implement its Synar program. Along with a weak 1992 youth access law that mandated that clerks (and not owners of outlets) receive small fines for selling tobacco to minors and that depended on voluntary cooperation by local law enforcement, this meant that the early orientation of the Synar program was potentially weak and ineffective. Nevertheless, Missouri outlets selling tobacco to minors dropped from 40% in 1996 to 29% in 1997. From 1997 to 2000, ADA sought assistance in its Synar efforts from Missouri retailers who have been traditional allies of the industry. In 1999 and 2000, ADA sponsored Philip Morris' "We Card" Synar training program for Missouri retailers, in spite of evidence that this program was ineffective in restricting youth access. In 1998, outlets selling tobacco to minors rose from 29% to 33%, threatening Missouri's substance abuse block grant with a 40% funding reduction. From 1994 to 2000, the tobacco industry recognized the significance of which agency administers and controls a tobacco control program. In Missouri, this resulted in the successful undermining of Synar enforcement efforts. See www.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/mo
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Tobacco Industry
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.