June 28, 2011 - Tobacco sales to minors fell to an all-time low in 2010 after increasing in 2009, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The statistics are gathered as part of the Synar Amendment program, a federal-state partnership to curb tobacco sales to minors. In 2010, retailers in the U.S. sold tobacco to minors an average 9.3% of the time, which is the lowest in the program’s 14-year history. Susan Marsiglia Gray, the research coordinator, attributed the decreased sales in part to the Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act, which helps states conduct compliance checks of retailers. She also says that some smaller outlets, which may have been more likely to sell to minors, are out of business due to a tough economy. Although there was a national downward trend, violations increased in 14 states. Also, minors may not be able to buy tobacco from retailers, but older siblings and friends still can. “States really need to take a comprehensive approach in reducing youth tobacco use,” Gray says.

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