Slowly but surely, underage tobacco use is getting snuffed out around Hawai'i.

The most recent evidence of the Islands' great smokeout came yesterday when the Department of Health released results from federally mandated random inspections of retail outlets around the state. The study, conducted by the DOH's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, sent teenagers ages 15 to 17 into stores to buy tobacco products. Of 221 stores tested, only 13 sold to minors — all of whom were working with undercover police officers. The low 5.9 percent non-compliance rate continues a state trend.

"Over the last 10 years the rates of illegal tobacco sales in Hawai'i have dropped from 44.5 percent to 5.9 percent," said Health Director Chiyome Fukino. "Our comprehensive tobacco prevention strategy has played a major role in getting Hawai'i to maintain one of the lowest rates in the nation for seven consecutive years."

The most recent federal study, in 2004, showed Hawai'i ranking third (with Maine) for the fewest illegal tobacco sales to minors. Delaware and Arkansas were the only states with better results.

The state's random testing revealed yesterday took place earlier this year with help from volunteers from "Kruisin' Against Tobacco Sales. "

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona honored the helpers at the state Capitol yesterday.

"Thank you for your courage," Aiona said. "We have made tremendous progress."

Emily Callejo, 15, of Farrington High School was among the teens who participated.

At the news conference, Callejo said that if a retailer allowed her to purchase cigarettes, she'd give the change to the undercover police officer and the officer would then cite the store and often lecture the cashier. Clerks convicted of selling tobacco products to minors face a mandatory fine of $500.

"Some of the clerks would scold me," Callejo said. "Sometimes it's embarrassing. They would say, 'You're too young. You shouldn't be smoking.' "

Christina Tetterton and Elena Lopez-Berryman, both 16, also participated in the stings, but yesterday questioned Hawai'i's law on underage smoking.

"It's only illegal to buy (cigarettes), not to smoke them," Tetterton said.

Lopez-Berryman said she used to live in Austin, Texas, where she said it's illegal for youth under the age of 18 to purchase, possess or smoke cigarettes.

Fukino said she hopes the Legislature can work on tightening the laws to make it illegal for minors to possess or smoke cigarettes.

"It's something we need work on," Fukino said. "This kind of ambiguity is not good for (teenagers).

"The reality is smoking kills. Even if you don't put a cigarette to your lips."

Reach Brittany Yap at byap@honoluluadvertiser.com.