In my job at the Summit Community Care Clinic, parents every day tell me they feel alone in their fight to protect kids from tobacco and other substance abuse. And the fight becomes even harder when the big tobacco companies come into our county targeting children with their colorful, trendy products designed to entice kids to buy. It's not just about cigarettes anymore, either.
Now, tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds are test-marketing dissolvable tobacco products that come in the form of orbs, sticks and strips — including right here in Summit County.
I am very worried about kids using these products at a younger and younger age. These products look like candy and are very colorful and attractive. They are intended for children and youth consumption.
