STUDY: Alcohol and cigarettes being marketed to kids

3 a new report claims—tobacco and alcohol are being marketed to kids on the central coast. today — a statewide initiative kicked off–to try and fight that trend. 3 here is central coast news reporter ricardo navarro. ### you have more on some numbers that may upset parents — and how people’s local corner store may be playing a key role. 3 this survey was done by public health groups from around the central coast. its the first and largest survey of its kind in california. it analyzed tobacco and alcohol advertisements in and outside stores. their conclusion…many of these products are being targeted at kids. 3 *trt 1:33outcue:there were only three pieces of candy in the cup. :* inside this cup are candy products and tobacco products. can you tell which is which? 3:00 im an adult and im looking at this and at first glance its very hard to differentiate between the two. but that’s no mistake. now a new statewide campaign — healthy stores for a healthier community hopes to shine a light on how packaging like this influences kids and the choices they make. 29:36 kids who make at least one weekly visit to a store that sells tobacco are more likely than their peers to use tobacco as adults. more than 7 thousand stores were surveyed in california. on the central coast — the survey says 21 percent in monterey county, 13 percent in san benito county and 37 percent in santa cruz county stores are advertising unhealthy products only one thousand feet away from a school. and then surveyors went inside stores — to see where alcohol and tobacco are displayed. 33:45 they are posted at about 3 feet level or lower. 36 percent are advertising in this matter. that level is eye level to toddlers and 3 young children. that’s what our children are seeing when they accompany parents to the stores. the survey is just the beginning. now the goal is to educate store owners and more importantly ask city leaders to adopt ordinances that make it harder for businesses to sell unhealthy products to kids. especially when they look like something else. 3:27 they are very much like candy in case you were wondering — there were only three pieces of candy in the cup. 3 e-cigarettes were a big concern from all county health departments — especially since they are growing in popularity. health leaders say they are not a healthier alternative to smoking. coming up at six i have more on why parents may want stores to stop advertising — but the stores themselves say not so fast.