Counter Tools

Two youth visiting a retailer with educational materials.

Counter Tools is a program designed to reduce access and harm to youth by products like tobacco, vapes, and alcohol by focusing on where people most often encounter them—the retail environment. Every other year, Arlington County staff visit all tobacco retailers to review what products are being sold and to share educational materials that help prevent sales to anyone under 21.

Counter Tools works closely with the Arlington County Police Department, the Teen Network Board, and the Buckingham Youth Brigade to strengthen outreach and ensure youth voices are included in this effort.

These combined strategies have made a real impact:

  1. Retailer compliance has improved.
  2. Awareness of age‑restriction laws has increased.
  3. The rate of violations in Arlington County dropped significantly—from 30.77% in 2022 to just 7.69% in 2024.

Four youth giving a thumbs up outside of a retailer after successfully sharing information.A youth talking to a retail service worker about youth substance use prevention efforts.

 

Prevention

Contact Us

  • Courtney Martin (she/her) - Prevention Specialist – 703-228-1547
  • Danielle Burnett (she/her) - Community and Family Engagement Coordinator - 703-228-1671
  • Leonardo Espiña  (he/him) - Parent Education Coordinator – 571-400-8855
  • Linh Nghe (he/him) - Prevention Director, TNB & APCYF – 703-228-1528
  • Mark Perez (he/him) - Prevention Specialist – 703-228-1525

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