Tobacco sales to minors have doubled in Oklahoma over the past four years,reports The Duncan Banner.
The rise in sales was detected by more retailers selling tobacco products to undercover minors during random checks throughout the state. This year’s non-compliance rate of 14 percent is more than twice the seven percent recorded only four years ago.
Oklahoma health official Terri White said “The fact that so many retailers didn’t sell these products to minors suggests there is no excuse for the others to continue breaking the law.”
States must maintain a non-compliance rate below 20 percent or risk losing federal funding for substance abuse programs. Tobacco sales numbers come courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).