Clallam County Tobacco Prevention & Control Program tobacco retailer compliance checks found 94 percent of retailers refused to sell tobacco to underage minors.

Locally 15 percent of 10th-graders and 20 percent of 12th-graders are tobacco users according to the 2008 Healthy Youth Survey conducted in schools. Before prevention efforts began in 2000, as many as 35 percent of 12th- graders smoked. Youth smoking rates have dropped 50 percent in 10 years. Adult rates have dropped 35 percent.

Clerks who sold cigarettes must pay $50 or attend retailer training. Businesses are fined $100-$1,500 according to how many sales to minors they have made in a two-year period and their tobacco license can be suspended or revoked.

For more information, contact Jill Dole at 565-2608 or jdole@co.clallam.wa.us.