Two States Lead Nation in Preventing Underage Tobacco Sales

Minnesota and Nevada achieve 99% compliance rate for retailers.

September 09, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota announced last week that it achieved a 99% compliance rate with state and federal laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to people under 18 years old during the 2013 federal fiscal year. The state tied with Nevada for the lowest retailer sale violation rate of 1%, as reported in an annual report recently released by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

States are required to conduct annual undercover inspections of licensed tobacco retailers to check for illegal sales of tobacco to minors under the federal Synar law, named for the congressman who sponsored it.

"Curtailing illegal sales of tobacco is a vital step to promoting healthier kids and healthier communities because the smoking habit often starts at an early age," said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, in a press release. "Minnesota's high compliance rate shows that retailers are recognizing their responsibility to help keep tobacco out of the hands of people who are under age."

For 18 years, the We Card program has been a vital part of preventing underage tobacco sales, and September is We Card Awareness Month. During the month, We Card is launching an awareness effort that ties in with the availability of 2015 We Card materials. For more information, visit wecard.org.

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