The effects of combining education and enforcement to reduce tobacco sales to minors: a study of four northern California communities

Article Abstract:

In spite of laws against it, the purchasing of tobacco by minors continues to be a major problem in every state. The effects of enforcing the California law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to and purchase of tobacco products by minors were evaluated in this study. In four suburban cities in Solano County, an educational program was started that publicized results from a pretest in which minors (recruited for this purpose) had tried to purchase cigarettes in several cities. The California law was explained and emphasis was placed on the importance of compliance: in addition, warning stickers and employee education materials were distributed. Post-test 1 took place three months after that intervention and was followed by expressions on the parts of merchants that active enforcement of the law would be most effective in limiting sales to minors. Post-test 2 took place six months after four police department ''sting'' operations resulted in citations to several stores. A new group of minors was recruited and the purchase of tobacco products was again attempted. The proportions of stores that sold tobacco to minors at the pretest, post-test 1, and post-test 2 were 73 percent, 68 percent, and 31 percent. Over-the-counter sales figures for the three periods were 72 percent, 62 percent, and 21 percent; sales from vending machines were 84 percent, 93 percent, and 83 percent. Seven of 16 cited merchants who were tracked through the court system received suspended sentences and $50 fines, while 9 received neither fines nor sentences. Judges' reasons for leniency included not wanting to establish criminal records for people who had none; the belief that a $200 fine (suggested in the California law) was too high for store employees; and the belief that tobacco sales to minors constituted a relatively non-serious crime. The results indicate that enforcement of existing laws regarding tobacco sales to minors is effective. However, barriers to greater effectiveness include the lack of effect on vending machine sales, judges' leniency, and difficulties in deciding who is responsible for these sales (clerks or store owners). (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects

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Cigarette sales to minors - Colorado, 1989

Article Abstract:

The findings are presented from a survey by The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Colorado (composed of representatives from health organizations) concerning the effectiveness of a 1987 state law that bans the sale of tobacco to people younger than 18. The survey was carried out by teams of volunteers, made up of one minor and one adult, who tried to purchase cigarettes at randomly selected locations. One hundred and twenty-one sites were included. If the vendor asked the minor (who entered the store alone) for proof of age, and refused to sell the cigarettes, the sale was considered unsuccessful. Successful sales were those where an amount was rung up on the cash register, a pack of cigarettes was placed on the counter, or the vendor asked the minor's age but indicated willingness to sell the cigarettes. Criteria for successful and unsuccessful vending machine sales (24 attempts) are described. Results showed that 64 percent of attempts were successful, including 55 percent of the vendor attempts and all the vending machine attempts. The age or sex of the minor did not affect the success rate. Attempts in pharmacies, gas stations, and rural areas were more often successful than those in food stores, convenience stores, and suburban Denver. Most anti-smoking activities in Colorado have targeted the demand for tobacco among young people, an estimated 3,000 of whom start smoking each day in the country as a whole. Efforts against tobacco sales suffer from limitations in enforcing the law. The situation could be improved by developing a retail tobacco sales licensure system, educating vendors about the law, and enforcing the law where vending machines are concerned. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Statistics, Surveys, Colorado

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Reducing the illegal sale of cigarettes to minors

Article Abstract:

The illegal sale of cigarettes to minors under 18 by stores and vending machines was analyzed in Santa Clara County, California. Minors aged 14 to 16 years old were able to successfully purchase cigarettes from three quarters of the stores observed and from every vending machine. The community launched a program designed to stem the sale of cigarettes to minors; it involved media campaigns, education of merchants, contact with executives from chain stores or franchises, and various community organizations. The campaign successfully reduced the illegal sale of cigarettes to underage teenagers by 39 percent from stores, although illegal purchases of cigarettes from vending machines were not changed. Results of this study indicate that a concerted and well-planned merchant and community education campaign can significantly reduce illegal sales of cigarettes to minors.

Marketing

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