Hello, my name is Sheila Ramirez. I am 15 and attend Brighton High. I am a youth leader at the Hyde Square Task Force in Jamaica Plain. First, I want to thank you for taking the time to listen to me today about changing the regulations on tobacco sale.

The regulations that I am asking you to support are to raise the price of cigars by requiring that these cigars are sold in packages of at least five, regulate novel nicotine products and lastly, to increase fines for businesses that are not in compliance with ordinances restricting youth access to tobacco.

Through my work at the Hyde Square Task Force, I know that these proposed regulations can make a difference in the lives of my peers. I know this because several months ago, we surveyed merchants and community members in Jamaica Plain / Hyde Park and Roxbury. Here a few of the statistics that jumps out to me and other youth leaders of the Hyde Square Task Force. I’m sure they will jump out to you too.

• 85% of people in our community are affected by tobacco in their daily lives
• 96% of smokers in the community started smoking BEFORE they were 18, more than HALF started before High School
• 92% of youth go to stores that sell tobacco at least once a week
• Flavored products such as Bluntvilles, Dutch Woods, flavored cigars and cigarillos are the most popular types of tobacco used by smokers in our survey
• Most people surveyed agreed that the biggest tobacco related problem in the community is that tobacco is very easy for youth to get.

We know that tobacco products are highly addictive and can cause many health problems. Tobacco can always cause health problems for people who live homes with a smoker, are exposed to it on the street or smoke it themselves. I am here to urge you to think about the young people of Boston. Please support the proposed regulations that I have stated so that my peers can lead healthy and happy lives.