Anti-Tobacco Group Honors Local Businesses

Two more Putnam businesses have decided to eliminate all tobacco sales and advertising from their shops.

Diane Moore of the Putnam County Youth Bureau’s Reality Check and Anthony Massarelli of POW’R Against Tobacco visited the Arthur Avenue Deli II on Fair Street across from Carmel High School and Stahly’s Deli at the Mahopac Shopping Center on Route 6 near Baldwin Place to commend the shopkeepers for their decision last week.

Massarelli said that what made the determination so meaningful was that it had been made in “extremely difficult economic times. This is a brave and courageous resolution.”

Massarelli told the Courier research indicates “teens frequent a deli or convenience store three to four times a week. When they see cigarette advertising or the placement of tobacco products, it sets the tone and serves as a reminder for future tobacco use. The elimination of such billboards, placards, and posters by these entrepreneurs is very brave and considerate on their part.”

Moore agreed: “With the close proximity of the delis to schools, teens are often seen smoking off-campus. The deli’s actions serve as a bold step, by telling the public, ‘No, we will not promote or sell tobacco—a known killer.’ This is a positive and healthy move for the community.”

Massarelli also noted that the new Christopher’s Deli in Mahopac that is also owned by the Stahl family will continue to abide by a January agreement signed by the former proprietors of the popular deli on Route 6 and Route 6N in downtown Mahopac, the Maloney family, by not selling any tobacco or alcohol products.