ND0927115

Title: California Tobacco Sales to Minors at All-Time Low

Description: Convenience stores and gas stations are among the retail outlets that have the lowest percentage of illegal sales to minors.

Page Content:

SACRAMENTO, CA ? According to California health officials, illegal tobacco sales to minors in the state is at an all-time low, though certain stores are breaking the law at higher rates, Mercury News reports.

The 2011 Youth Tobacco Purchase Survey revealed only 5.6 percent of retail outlets sold tobacco to minors, the lowest rate in the 16-year history of the survey (37 percent of teens were able to purchase tobacco when the survey began in 1995).

Convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores, liquor stores, gas stations and tobacco shops have realized the sharpest declines. The survey noted non-traditional tobacco retailers, such as doughnut stores, produce markets and delis, sell tobacco to minors in much higher numbers. For instance, delis showed rates of 11.6 percent, while gift stores were at 8.3 percent.

"It is important to protect our youth from using tobacco which is deadly and addictive," said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health. "We are proud that fewer retailers are selling cigarettes to minors, but we have more work to do to guarantee that all kids in California grow up tobacco-free."

Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising

Formatted Article Date: September 27, 2011

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