University students who have a nicotine craving face now may face an inconvenience when purchasing their favorite brand of cigarettes, due to a Food and Drug Administration ruling that took effect Feb. 28.
In a plan endorsed by President Clinton to prevent underage smoking, retailers must ask for photo identification from anyone purchasing cigarettes if they believe the customer appears to be less than 27-years-old.
"This is the most important public health initiative of our generation," Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala said in a written statement. "Our children's futures are at stake."
But many local residents and store owners are not as enthusistic about the new laws. They said it takes more time for people to search for their driver's licenses when purchasing cigarettes.
"The customers don't like it," said Andy Ramadan, manager of the Harriet Food Mart. "But the law's the law."
This ruling is part of a package of FDA regulations on the tobacco industry. Beginning Aug. 28, stores will be banned from having cigarette vending machines in areas available to minors. Store owners also will not be able to post color tobacco ads and give free samples of tobacco.
Linda Ruckle, an FDA spokesperson, said the regulations come after a great deal of public debate and input.
"We received almost 750,000 comments and letters that helped shape the final ruling," Ruckle said. "We received a wide spectrum of views."
Ruckle said the store owners would be warned the first time they sold tobacco products to a minor. For each additional time, they would receive a $250 fine. This fine would be in addition to any state fines or actions.
Ruckle said that in most cases the store owners should ask for identification from anyone they think looks 26-years-old or younger because there are many mature-looking teenagers.
"The retailers should always card to make sure, unless it's someone who comes in every day," Ruckle said.
But some store owners said the federal regulation is nothing new to them.
"We were already strict," said Paul O'Sullivan, manager of the Food and Drug Mart. "Now, we use the same standards we do for alcohol."
Some University students who smoke said they have not noticed a difference in buying cigarettes in Ann Arbor.
"Nothing's changed in Ann Arbor," said LSA first-year student John Karp, who is 19-years-old.
Although presenting identification may take extra time, some students said they agree with the FDA's decision.
"I can understand why they do it," said LSA junior Tiffany Messano, a 21-year-old who said she has been carded recently when purchasing cigarettes. "I don't approve of underage smoking."
But Karp, who went home to Chicago over spring break, said "there wasn't a place I didn't get carded."
This law also has pleased some local residents.
"There are some people who are happy because they think they look younger when we ask them for identification," said Laurie Knoll, manager of Baxter's Party Store and Deli.
The FDA justified the tightening of regulations with many statistics, including that each day, 3,000 minors become smokers. Also, tobacco-related deaths claim the lives of more than 400,000 Americans each year.
"Nicotine addiction is a pediatric disease that often begins at 12, 13 and 14, only to manifest itself at 16 and 17 when these children find they cannot quit," FDA Commisioner Dr. David Kessler said in a written statement. "By then our children have lost their freedom and face the prospect of lives shortened by terrible diseases."
AJA DEKLEVA COHEN/Daily
Ted Humphrey checks EMU first-year student Jessica Thornell's ID before she purchases cigarettes at the Diag Party Shoppe.