GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, WASHINGTON - The latest tobacco sting operation conducted in Grays Harbor County revealed that 25% of the retailers checked sold tobacco products to teens under age 18. This resulted in a 75% retailer compliance rate with laws forbidding sale of these products to minors.

This recent sting operation involved several cities throughout the Grays Harbor area and was a combined effort between Public Health - Seattle and King County and the Washington State Liquor Control Board. The 75% compliance rate is significantly decreased from the 84% compliance rate found in the Grays Harbor area throughout all of last year.

"By 2002, we'd like to see 95% or better of retailers refusing to sell tobacco to minors in Grays Harbor and around Washington State," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "If we can keep our children from using tobacco before they are 18, chances are that they'll never start using it."

Retailers in compliance with the law were congratulated and given information packets. Those retailers found selling to minors were also presented with information packets and cited for the violation. Selling tobacco to a minor costs retailers $100 for the first offense. The fine for a clerk is $50. Repeat offenders are fined up to $1000 and may have their license to sell cigarettes suspended.

More tobacco stings will be conducted during the remainder of the year in an effort to increase compliance rates and community awareness.

The federal Synar law, requires all 50 states to do random tobacco compliance checks each year. To assure that Washington meets or exceeds any Synar requirement, Public Health - Seattle & King County was awarded contracts to conduct the mandated checks, increase their number, and educate retailers to sell tobacco products responsibly.

If citizens see a merchant selling tobacco to a minor, they are encouraged to call their local Liquor Control Board to file a confidential complaint.