The proportion of tobacco and vape sales among minors in Wisconsin. The United States has dropped to 11.8%. Health officials have called for attention to preventing early exposure of teenagers to tobacco products.
Key points:
1. The proportion of tobacco and vape sales to minors in Wisconsin, the United States, has declined.
2. Although sales have declined, the violation rate still needs to be improved.
3. The importance of preventing early exposure of teenagers to tobacco and nicotine products.
Wisconsin’s share of underage tobacco and vape sales drops to 11.8% in US
According to the latest report released by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in the United States, the proportion of tobacco and vape retailers selling to minors in the state decreased in 2024. Annual data shows that this proportion has dropped from 13.6% in 2023 to 11.8% in 2024.
These results come from the state’s official Synar survey, which is an annual statewide assessment of retailers’ violation rates. In 2019, this proportion was 5.5% and reached its peak in 2021, when the proportion was 14.1%.
Paula Tran, a state health official and director of the public health department, said: “We are glad to see that the overall proportion of tobacco and vape products sold to minors has decreased, but the proportion is still too high.” We know that over 80% of adult smokers start smoking before the age of 18, and about 95% of them do so before the age of 21. She emphasized that efforts will continue to be made to prevent young people from starting to use commercial tobacco and nicotine products, which is very important for protecting their current and future health.
Data from 2024 shows that the proportion of sales by minors in tobacco and vape stores is the highest. The proportion of these stores selling to underage consumers is 30%, which is higher than that of gas stations (11.8%) and other types of retail stores (10.8%). The Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has recently found that an increasing number of local zoning regulations are restricting the number and location of these stores.
“We are seeing more and more communities in Wisconsin taking active actions to protect the young people within their communities,” Vicki Huntington, the department manager of the Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), said, “These communities have reduced teenagers’ access to commercial tobacco products by limiting the number of tobacco retailers near schools, playgrounds and other places where young people gather.”
The 2024 Synar survey also includes the following data:
- The overall sales proportion of male minors was 14.4%, and that of female minors was 9.8%.
- The most commonly sold product among male minors is vapes (accounting for 17.9% of completed sales). The most commonly sold item for underage females is small cigars (accounting for 15.7% of completed sales).
These data tell us that the awareness of the public and retailers is of vital importance, and local actions have a significant impact. The data also shows the areas we can focus on to help prevent young people from accessing these harmful products, such as helping specific retailers reduce sales to minors. Vicki Huntington, the department manager of the Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) said: “In addition, placing flavored small cigars (short and narrow cigars) behind the counter like other tobacco, vapes and bagged products will have a very positive impact on the health of Wisconsin teenagers.”
