Store owners around the state are getting better about not selling cigarettes and other cheap cigarettes products to kids, according to a new compliance report issued by the state.
More stores are complying with state and federal laws barring the sale of discount cigarette online products to kids, according to the latest Synar Report, a federally mandated compliance check administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services.
In 2011, 7.8 percent of stores sold cigarettes store or other products to kids conducting supervised buys during compliance checks. That’s down from 8.6 percent in 2010 and a significant improvement from 14 percent in 2009, according to DHHS.
“This is very good news for New Hampshire children and their parents,” said Joseph Harding, director of the DHHS Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services. “The results show what can be accomplished by building partnerships that address issues affecting the health and safety of our youth and communities.”
DHHS and cooperating youths spot-checked 292 stores selling online cigarettes products. The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services partners with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Division of Enforcement to conduct the checks.