Retailers Cut Youth Tobacco Sales
WASHINGTON-Tobacco retailers continue to reduce sales to children under age 18, as mandated by federal law. Overall, the national violation rate fell to 16.3% in 2001 from 40.1% in 1996, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
WASHINGTONTobacco retailers continue to reduce sales to children under age 18, as mandated by federal law. Overall, the national violation rate fell to 16.3% in 2001 from 40.1% in 1996, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia achieved the 20% violation rate set for 2001 or a rate they had previously negotiated with the federal government. Wisconsin was the one state that failed to reach its violation target for the year, which was 22%. Wisconsin’s rate was 33.7%, and it agreed to commit an additional $3 million to increase its enforcement effort. The agreement spared Wisconsin stringent federal penalties.
