The California Tobacco Control Program reduced health care costs by $134 billion from 1989-2008 while spending only $2.4 billion.  New research from UC San Francisco shows that reductions in the prevalence of smoking and cigarette consumption per smoker are both tied to tobacco control funding.

California’s tobacco control program aims to change the social norms surrounding tobacco use by “indirectly influencing current and potential future tobacco users by creating a social milieu and legal climate in which tobacco becomes less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.” Two of their four priority areas, limiting tobacco promoting influences and reducing the availability of tobacco, directly impact the point-of-sale.

Want to learn more about how point-of-sale policies can reduce tobacco use in your community? Check-out Counter Tobacco’s policy solutions for POS Marketing, Advertising and Promotions and Licensing, Zoning and Retailer Density.