Underage youth visited the stores in an attempt to purchase tobacco products under the concealed supervision of an adult. The survey was conducted in the unincorporated areas of the County. Sixty-nine stores were visited.

“Why do they keep selling to us? Some of them asked for my ID, but sold it to me anyway even though I didn’t have one!” stated Christopher Greer, a 16-year old volunteer from Denair who participated in the survey. California State Law, Penal Code 308 (a) prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors; however, tobacco stings do not occur frequently and are time-consuming resulting in few retailers being visited. If a merchant is caught more than once, the fines do increase. “Unfortunately there is little incentive for tobacco retailers not to sell tobacco to underage youth,” states Heather Duvall, Health Promotion Manager for HSA. “The reality is that it is profitable.”

The Stanislaus County Tobacco Education Coalition is developing strategies to reduce these increasing sales rates. One strategy that is being considered is implementing a retail licensing ordinance. The ordinance would require stores that sell tobacco to have a license, similar to a liquor license. With this policy, if a merchant continues to sell tobacco to minors, they can have their license suspended...and in extreme cases, revoked. This would send a strong message to merchants that putting their profits before the health of children simply will not be tolerated.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 10 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 500,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site at www.hsahealth.org