TEEN TOBACCO BAN SEEN AS HIT-OR-MISS IN SURVEY OF STATES

WASHINGTON - Despite crackdowns on teenage smoking, youths across the
country have little trouble buying cigarettes, the government said
yesterday in the first state-by-state scorecard of sting operations.

In the typical state, four out of 10 teenagers were able to purchase
tobacco products at convenience stores, gas stations, and groceries.

In Massachusetts, the teens got cigarettes about 30 percent of the time and
in New Hampshire 15 percent.

The report is a progress check on state efforts to meet a federal law that
requires states to reduce their sales of tobacco to minors over the next
few years to 20 percent of those who try to buy it. The deadline varies by
state, depending how far they have to go, but all states must reach that
goal by 2003 or lose federal grants for substance abuse and mental health
programs.

So far, four states - Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, and Washington - have
met the 20 percent target. Florida was doing the best in the nation, with
teenagers acting as covert inspectors able to buy tobacco just 7.2 percent
of the time.

In Louisiana, teens purchased tobacco on more than seven of 10 tries.

''I know how tough this is. My dad owned a grocery store and I worked
behind the counter,'' said Donna Shalala, secretary of Health and Human
Services.

Louisiana officials said they have already improved the numbers recorded
during the 1997 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. A follow-up study showed
teens succeeded in buying just 39 percent of the time.

Florida's success is due to strong efforts by state officials who have
''been at it longer. They take it very seriously,'' said Mitch Zeller, a
tobacco specialist with the federal Food and Drug Administration.

The sting operation involves teenagers who attempt to buy cigarettes and
chewing tobacco. If a clerk asks for identification, they say they don't
have any with them. Since 1996, more than 60,000 merchants have been
checked.

The FDA is working to enforce its year-old rules barring sales to minors.
It has signed contracts with 11 states to inspect stores. Those states will
take part in a $7 million FDA ad campaign to remind stores that they face
fines if they sell tobacco to minors. Massachuetts, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
Texas, and Washington will participate.

© Copyrigh 1998 Globe Newspaper Company.