MODESTO BEE
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

By KEN CARLSON
BEE STAFF WRITER

Last Updated: November 20, 2005, 04:26:59 AM PST

Teenagers have more access to cigarettes than in years past, according to a countywide survey that shows 38 percent of stores sold tobacco products to minors.
During a Stanislaus County Health Services Agency survey that ran from July to last week, six volunteers, ages 15 to 17, tried to buy tobacco products at 175 stores in Modesto, Turlock and unincorporated areas.

Plenty of stores sold cigarettes to the young decoys, as well as smokeless tobacco and flavored cigars.

"It shocked me how many stores actually sold to me," said Katie Carson, a Johansen High School senior who participated. She said she bought tobacco even after producing her ID, which shows she is not 18.

"It kind of bothered me how easy it is for youths to get their hands on it."

Most of the volunteers were recruited from the American Cancer Society's youth leadership board and worked in teams — one adult and two teens. Once inside the stores, the adults monitored the teenagers but acted as if they were not with them.

Stores of every size were selected for the survey, including convenience stores, gas stations, tobacco-only stores, drugstores and supermarkets. Purchases were made at every level, but store owners were not cited or identified because it's an education program.

The Health Services Agency has done the surveys before and is troubled by this year's results. The sales rate was three times what it was in 1999 and 46 percent higher than 2002.

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