Date: July 26, 2002
Contact:
Renee Hoffman
CCPS Public Affairs Director
(919) 733-5027
(ext. 231)
| For Release: Immediate
Date: July 26, 2002 |
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Contact:
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ALE CONDUCTS UNDERCOVER TOBACCO COMPLIANCE CHECKS |
RALEIGH - An N.C. Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) undercover operation has found that some merchants in three eastern counties are illegally selling tobacco to underage persons. On July 18th & 19th, 2002, ALE's District II office in Tarboro conducted an undercover tobacco compliance check operation in Pitt, Wayne and Wilson Counties. A total of 41 randomly chosen locations were checked during this two-day operation. As a result, 19 outlets (46%) sold cigarettes to the minor, while 22 refused the sale. Follow-up compliance checks were done on July 25th. As a result, eight outlets (40%) sold to the minor, and 12 refused.
"The sales rate is disappointing," said Ron Gilliard, Acting Supervisor for ALE in Tarboro.
According to data recently released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, nearly 1 out of every 3 high school student smokes, and, combined, these students will purchase 26.7 million packs of cigarettes. An additional 25,800 children will become smokers this year and, 210,000 North Carolina children who smoke will die a premature death as a consequence of underage smoking.
"The sheer numbers are staggering when you consider that these numbers represent our most prized asset, our youth," said Gilliard.
At each of these locations, ALE sent a minor, who was age tested to ensure that he looks less than 18 years of age, into the store to attempt to purchase cigarettes. Additionally, the minor adheres to strict guidelines set forth by ALE to ensure the appearance of entrapment is not present. For example, if a store clerk asks the minor how old they are, the minor is to tell them their actual age and the minor is required to have a valid driver's license on his person at all times and to produce it for identification if asked.
State law requires that merchants check photo identification of customers trying to buy tobacco products if the person appears to be under the age of 18. Of the 27 businesses that sold to the minor, 14 failed to check the minor's identification, the other 13 checked the identification and sold anyway.
Each of the clerks who sold the cigarettes was charged criminally by the ALE Agents. Gilliard pointed out that " while enforcement is a part of our commitment to saving lives, education is an important tool as well." ALE offers a program entitled BARS (Be a Responsible Seller) to local retail establishments. This informative program is offered free of charge to any business that sells alcohol or tobacco.
ALE is a Division within the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. Their primary statutory mission is enforcement of our state's alcohol and drug laws. ALE was given the additional mission of enforcing North Carolina's youth access to tobacco law in order to prevent the state from losing approximately $14 million in federal substance abuse grant monies. According to Gilliard, "we have since learned, however, that there is a far more important reason for enforcing the youth access law- simply put, the law saves lives."
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