PUP Laws

Oppose laws that criminalize youth for the possession, use, or purchase (PUP) of tobacco and nicotine products.

Key Concerns:

• PUP laws shift the blame from the industry to youth, ignoring decades of targeted marketing by tobacco companies.
• These laws have been shown to be inequitable, with enforcement often targeting youth of color at higher rates.
• Criminalizing tobacco use discourages youth from seeking help to quit and undermines prevention and education efforts.
• Public health experts, including the CDC, recommend focusing enforcement on retailers and the tobacco industry—not young people.

Why PUP Laws Don’t Work:

Research shows that PUP laws:

• Fail to reduce youth tobacco use rates over time
• Do not address the root cause of access—retail availability and marketing
• Create barriers to cessation by criminalizing addiction
• Divert resources away from proven prevention strategies

A Better Path Forward:

PACT supports positive, community-based solutions that empower youth rather than penalize them. This includes:

• Investing in tobacco prevention education
• Expanding youth cessation programs that are trauma-informed and culturally responsive
• Enforcing penalties on retailers who illegally sell to youth
• Restricting the availability and marketing of tobacco products in youth-accessible spaces