New Study Analyzes Tobacco, Alcohol, & Food in Stores In Tulare County
VISALIA, CA – New data reveals that Tulare County has more stores
that sell candy, mint, and liquor flavored non-cigarette tobacco
products and are near schools than the state-wide average. This finding
is part of new data released today on the availability and marketing of
tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food products in stores that sell
tobacco.
The state-wide survey collected information from more than 7,300 retail
stores – including convenience, supermarket, liquor, tobacco, small
market, discount, drug, and big-box stores – in all 58 counties, to
shed light on what products are most promoted in our communities. Nearly
700 public health representatives, community volunteers and youth
participated in the survey.
“There are too many stores near to schools that are marketing and
selling tobacco and alcohol products to our young people here in Tulare
County,” said Dr. Karen Haught, Tulare County Public Health Officer.
“HHSA and our community stakeholders are committed to partnering with
quick mart stores, school officials, and parents in Tulare County to
make our community healthier and more aware of the dangers of tobacco
and alcohol consumption.”
Survey results for Tulare County show positive statistics for the
percentage of stores that accept CalFresh or WIC, stores that feature
healthy exterior advertising, and a lower percentage than the state on
stores that sell e-cigarettes. However, these negative outcomes remain
a grave concern for Tulare County officials:
● 85.3% of stores sell candy, mint, and liquor flavored
non-cigarette tobacco products and are near schools, compared to the
state average of 75.3%
● 84.6% of stores sell tobacco products and only 31.6% sell milk,
versus the state average of 79.4 and 37.2%
● Only 33.8% of stores sell fresh fruits or vegetables, compared
to the state average of 42.4%
● 58.9% of Tulare County stores sell sugar sweetened beverages at
the check-out and are near schools, as compared to only 55.6%
state-wide
● 82.6% of stores sell alcohol, versus the state-wide average of
only 71.3%
● 69.2% of stores sell chewing tobacco versus the state average of
only 56.1%
Results suggest a relationship between these negative statistics and
outcomes like:
● 72.5% of adults in Tulare County are overweight or obese as
compared to the state average of only 59.8%
● 41% of youth used alcohol in the past 30 days as compared to the
state average of 35%
● 17.8% of adults and 12% of youth smoke in Tulare County versus
the state average of only 13.8% of adults and 10.5% of youth
“The need for easy availability of healthy fruits and vegetables is
one of the most important issues in Tulare County, and one that can
either lead to a healthy lifestyle, or to a rise in chronic disease and
obesity levels in both our children and adult populations,” said
Tammie Weyker, Media Spokesperson for Tulare County Health & Human
Services Agency. “We want to work with our small business owners on
choosing to carry fresh fruits and vegetables and still meet and exceed
their bottom line so that our families can have the option to feed their
children healthier foods.”
Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community is a statewide campaign – formed
by tobacco prevention, nutrition, and alcohol prevention partners
working in collaboration – to improve the health of Californians by
informing them about the impacts of unhealthy product marketing in the
retail environment.