Kentucky American Heart Association representative says tobacco sale enforcement needs attention

Representatives of the American Heart Association in Kentucky are interested in a modified approach to enforcing retail sales of smoking products. Andrea Ooten is the executive director of the central and eastern Kentucky chapter of the AHA. Ooten said the discussion centers on establishing an enforcement arm similar to that used with another product.

“Similar to how we have the A-B-C, the Alcoholic Beverage Control who’s monitoring different agencies that are selling alcohol to make sure they’re not selling to minors and that sort of thing. We want that to happen for vaping and tobacco as well,” said Ooten.

Ooten said that type of enforcement, by and large, is not happening statewide.

The American Heart Association takes a varied approach to promoting heart health. Longtime efforts to reduce heart disease across Kentucky take on various forms. That often involves the types of foods found on tables all across the Commonwealth. For those facing food insecurity, the challenge can be even greater. Ooten said their work includes conversations about nutrition security.

“And identifying different ways that we can encourage like food banks and food pantries to encourage people who are donating to have healthier options for individuals when they are coming in,” said Ooten.

Ooten said cardiovascular disease can be seen in many ways including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes causing heart health challenges.

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