Scientific evidence has shown that use of smokeless tobacco is causally related to oral cancer with the risk of developing such cancers being four times as great among snuff users than nonusers. Smokeless tobacco has been shown to contain nicotine which is a dependence-producing drug that frequently results in addictive behavior. Scientific evidence has shown that smokeless tobacco has been associated with a number of oral problems including gingivitis, gingival recession, tooth abrasion and caries. The use of smokeless tobacco has increased substantially in recent years particularly among adolescent males, and is highly prevalent among certain population groups. Users generally are unaware of the possible harmful effects associated with using smokeless tobacco.
Therefore, the Board of Supervisors declares that it is in the public interest to require every person who sells smokeless tobacco to post a conspicuous warning at the point of retail sale as to the addictive and possible cancer-causing nature of smokeless tobacco, the illegality of, and the punishment for selling, giving or in any way furnishing smokeless tobacco, or any other tobacco product or paraphernalia, to another person who is under 18 years.
(Added by Ord. 329-87, App. 7/31/87)