STUDY FINDS DROP IN TOBACCO SALES TO MINORS

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Illegal sales of tobacco products to minors in
California dropped by nearly 40 percent since last year, state health
officials said Wednesday.

``This year's dramatic reduction in the number of illegal sales of
tobacco products is encouraging news in our battle to reduce youth
access to tobacco,'' health director Kim Belshe said in a news release.

Stores with illegal tobacco sales totaled 13.1 percent in this year's
survey, conducted by the state Department of Health Services.

That figure was down from 21.7 percent in 1997. The survey found rates
of 29.3 percent in 1996 and 37 percent in 1995.

In the survey of 443 stores statewide, youths 15 or 16 years of age --
accompanied by an adult -- attempted to purchase tobacco products over
the counter.

Teens were most likely to obtain tobacco in discount stores,
restaurants and donut shops, which had a 26.1 percent illegal sales
rate, Belshe said.

Supermarkets were the toughest place for minors to buy cigarettes,
selling cigarettes to minors 5.1 percent of the time, the study found.

The 1997 survey also found that:

- -- Liquor stores saw illegal sales decline sharply, from 20.4 percent
in 1997 to 11.6 percent this year.

- -- Gas stations also saw a sharp decline in sales, from 12.1 percent
sales rate, down from 27 percent in 1997.

- -- Drug stores had an illegal sales rate of 11.1 percent.

Owners of stores caught selling tobacco to minors during the state
sting are fined between $200 and $300 for their first offense.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry