Tobacco sting nets two alleged violators

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Story Published: Jul 7, 2009 at 10:50 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM PDT

By Stephanie Smith

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CLARKSTON - Two Asotin County mini marts have been caught selling tobacco to teens.

The Asotin County Health District sent trained teens to local tobacco retailers. The teenagers used their own valid IDs to try to buy tobacco products.

"We conducted compliance checks at area retailers that sell tobacco," said Asotin County Health District Nurse Donna Franklin. "It's against the law for youth to possess tobacco if they are under 18 and it's also against the law for people to supply tobacco products to youth who are under 18. So this is our way of...protecting youth from the dangers of tobacco."

Out of 11 retailers, Mr K's and Family Foods, both in the Heights, sold to a teen buyer, according to the Health District.

"They did check the ID and unfortunately they made the sale anyway and those sales have been referred to the liquor control board for enforcement action," said Franklin.

The businesses could face big fines.

"A retailer can face a fine of one hundred dollars up to one thousand dollars or more as well as having their license revoked, depending on the number of times they have made tobacco sales to underage youth," said Franklin.

Franklin said the compliance checks are important, in order to help combat tobacco addiction.

"Most adult smokers who use tobacco have started using tobacco before the age of 18," said Franklin. "If we can prevent youth from beginning to use tobacco we can hopefully prevent them from a lifetime of addiction to a very dangerous substance."

Franklin added that tobacco is often a gateway drug for teens.

"It's a drug of first use and first choice when youths start to begin using drugs. But it can often lead to other more harmful drugs or severe drug addiction," said Franklin.

If you would like some help quitting smoking., both Washington and Idaho residents can call the Tobacco quit line at 1-800-Quit-Now. Or visit Idaho.quitnet.com or quitline.com.

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