Report: More Minors Buying Tobacco

Source from:  khnl.com Associated Press - July 17, 2008 07/18/2008

An annual report indicates another increase in illegal tobacco sales to underage smokers in Hawaii. The 2.5%age-point rise is the fourth in a row and the largest since the state began collecting such data in 1996. The latest survey found more than 11% of stores checked were selling to minors. Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona says the trend is troubling. He says too many stores are not checking young customers' IDs. The survey involves teams of young volunteers with adult observers who randomly visit stores around the islands and try to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products. In the latest round of visits in April, 34 out of 304 stores were found ready to sell to the minors. Enditem