KY Tobacco Sales to Minors Under National Rate

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A new survey of retail tobacco outlets in Kentucky shows more than 94 percent are compliant with the law barring tobacco sales to people younger than 18. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services says Kentucky's average since the program began in 1997 is 9.5 percent violation, which was below the national average of 15.8 percent in that time.

Public Health Commissioner Dr. Stephanie Mayfield Gibson says lowering the violation rate is an important part of preventing young people from smoking and using tobacco. But the cabinet says young people still report it's easy to obtain tobacco products from stores as well as noncommercial sources such as family or friends. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducted the survey in Kentucky last summer.