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Youth Access to Cigarettes

Issued on  | Posted on  | Report number: OEI-02-90-02310

Report Materials

PURPOSE

To assess the enforcement of State laws prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors.

BACKGROUND

As part of his initiative on smoking, Secretary Sullivan asked the Office of Inspector General to survey States regarding their laws on the sale of cigarettes to minors. He wanted to know the extent to which the laws are enforced, the nature of enforcement activities and the most effective practices. Research has documented that millions of youth smoke, despite the existence of laws in 44 States and the District of Columbia prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors. Yet, a Journal of the American Medical Association article estimates that more than 3 million American children under age 18 consume 947 million packs of cigarettes yearly.

Report Type
Evaluation
HHS Agencies
Food and Drug Administration
Issue Areas
Public Health Issues
Target Groups
Children and Families
Financial Groups
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Notice

This report may be subject to section 5274 of the National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2023, 117 Pub. L. 263.