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Advisory| Date: | August 31, 2005 | |
| Media Contact: | SAMHSA Press | |
| Phone: | 240-276-2130 |
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Fewer Retailers Selling Cigarettes to Youth Under State Enforcement Efforts |
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Retailers continue to reduce sales of tobacco to children under age 18, according to data released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The national retailer violation rate dropped to 12.0 percent in reports submitted by states in 2005, down from 12.8 percent reported in 2004 and 40.1 percent since the annual tobacco retailer inspections began in 1996. The results of the most recent survey of inspections show that 49 of the 50 states achieved the legislative goal of retailer sales of cigarettes to minors of no more than 20 percent, and 43 states achieved a retailer violation of no more than 15 percent. In 21 states, the retailer violation was 10 percent or below. The retailer violation rate is based on state unannounced inspections of cigarette retailers The findings are based on reports submitted by states in response to federal law established in 1992 restricting access to tobacco by youth under age 18. The measure, known as the Synar Amendment, and its implementing regulations, requires states and U.S. territories to enact and enforce youth tobacco access laws; conduct annual random, unannounced inspections of tobacco outlets; achieve negotiated annual retailer violation targets; and attain a final goal of 20 percent or below for retailer non-compliance. The Synar law was named for the late Representative Mike Synar of Oklahoma. “As a nation, we have made great strides in reducing tobacco use among youth. The progress states have made in reducing youth access to tobacco products is truly commendable,” SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said. “However our work is far from complete. Despite the well-known consequences, young people are still using tobacco products at alarming rates. We are committed to continuing our work with states and communities to keep young people from starting to use tobacco products in the first place and encourage those who have started to stop.” Data reported in fiscal year 2005 indicate that Kansas failed to meet its negotiated retailer violation target. Kansas is committing additional state funds for tobacco enforcement as an alternative to losing part of its SAMHSA block grant funding, as specified in the law. |
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Synar Retailer Violation Rates ( FFY 2005) |
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| State Name | Target | Reported |
|---|---|---|
Alabama |
20.0 |
13.9 |
Alaska |
20.0 |
12.1 |
Arizona |
20.0 |
8.3 |
Arkansas |
20.0 |
4.2 |
California |
20.0 |
14.0 |
Colorado |
20.0 |
9.0 |
Connecticut |
20.0 |
18.0 |
Delaware |
20.0 |
2.7 |
District of Columbia |
20.0 |
20.5 |
Florida |
20.0 |
7.0 |
Georgia |
20.0 |
16.5 |
Hawaii |
20.0 |
5.3 |
Idaho |
20.0 |
12.3 |
Illinois |
20.0 |
6.4 |
Indiana |
20.0 |
11.9 |
Iowa |
20.0 |
11.4 |
Kansas |
20.0 |
38.0 |
Kentucky |
20.0 |
5.6 |
Louisiana |
20.0 |
7.3 |
Maine |
20.0 |
5.3 |
Maryland |
20.0 |
8.0 |
Massachusetts |
20.0 |
15.2 |
Michigan |
20.0 |
19.4 |
Minnesota |
20.0 |
13.7 |
Mississippi |
20.0 |
6.0 |
Missouri |
20.0 |
11.5 |
Montana |
20.0 |
14.5 |
Nebraska |
20.0 |
15.5 |
Nevada |
20.0 |
15.3 |
New Hampshire |
20.0 |
13.4 |
New Jersey |
20.0 |
12.6 |
New Mexico |
20.0 |
6.4 |
New York |
20.0 |
9.5 |
North Carolina |
20.0 |
16.8 |
North Dakota |
20.0 |
6.9 |
Ohio |
20.0 |
14.3 |
Oklahoma |
20.0 |
13.9 |
Oregon |
20.0 |
14.6 |
Pennsylvania |
20.0 |
7.0 |
Rhode Island |
20.0 |
9.5 |
South Carolina |
20.0 |
11.5 |
South Dakota |
20.0 |
7.1 |
Tennessee |
20.0 |
10.9 |
Texas |
20.0 |
15.5 |
Utah |
20.0 |
8.0 |
Vermont |
20.0 |
12.7 |
Virginia |
20.0 |
13.1 |
Washington |
20.0 |
11.7 |
West Virginia |
20.0 |
13.4 |
Wisconsin |
20.0 |
8.3 |
Wyoming |
20.0 |
8.7 |
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SAMHSA, is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions, treatment, and mental health services delivery system. SAMHSA is An Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service |