This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network.

Synar Regulation Implementation: FY 97 State Compliance Section I: Program Summary February 1998

Reducing Youth Tobacco Use: The National Agenda

The President's plan builds on previous actions taken by Congress and others, including the ban on television advertising of tobacco products and State laws to prohibit the sale or use of tobacco by children. The Administration's strategy for accomplishing the President's goal is to focus on three issues: limiting minors' access to tobacco products, reducing availability of tobacco products, and reducing the appeal of tobacco to minors.

The major purpose of the Synar Legislation passed by Congress is to reduce youth access to tobacco by requiring States to have and enforce laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone under age 18. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched two complementary efforts in support of this legislation. First, SAMHSA promulgated and is enforcing the Synar Regulation, which instructs States on implementation of the legislation. Second, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a rule in 1996 mandating that tobacco retailers not sell tobacco to anyone under age 18 and that they require a picture identification card from anyone under the age of 27 who attempts to purchase tobacco.

SAMHSA, a public health agency in HHS with a lead Federal role in preventing substance abuse, was charged with implementing the Synar Legislation. This report summarizes SAMHSA's implementation efforts and State compliance through September 30, 1997.