Posted on: Monday, August 18, 2003

EDITORIAL
Anti-smoking effort is producing results

We have long had qualms about a state program that uses underaged youth volunteers to "sting" local stores by attempting to buy cigarettes.

There is something uncomfortable about government encouraging youngsters to do something illegal, even for a good cause. And there is also the issue of well-meaning store operators who have no desire to sell cigarettes to underaged customers but succumb to a persistent and persuasive "undercover" agent.

Still, there is no doubt that this program, which has been in place for almost eight years, is having an impact.

The latest report says only 6.2 percent of the stores targeted in the latest campaign sold tobacco to underage customers. That figure was among the lowest in the nation and it compares fabulously with the 45 percent of merchants who sold tobacco when the program started.

Most store owners know the law and want to operate legitimately. It is awkward, sometimes, to challenge a customer who appears to be a little on the young side.

But it is the law. It also is an important part of the overall effort to convince young people that they should not smoke.