• 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) 

5600 Fishers Lane • Rockville, MD 20857 

www.samhsa.gov 

August 28, 2020 

Dear State Authority for Mental and Substance Use Disorders: 

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented States with several challenges in their efforts to 

implement the Synar program, which monitors the sale and distribution of tobacco products to 

minors. Synar inspections are carried out each year by youth inspectors, who visit retail 

establishments and attempt to purchase tobacco products. Recognizing the importance of 

keeping the youth inspectors healthy and safe, and in compliance with state and local public 

health orders, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is 

providing states with the following guidance on completing their Synar submission for calendar 

year 2020. 

Annual Synar Report Due Date 

States are required to submit their annual Synar report by December 31. States are encouraged 

to make every reasonable attempt to submit their 2020 Annual Synar Report on time, to the best 

of their ability, including submitting incomplete or partial inspection results. States may 

describe the challenges they faced due to COVID-19 in Section 3, “Describe any challenges the 

state faces in complying with the Synar regulation.” 

Please note that, in accordance with Public Law 116-94, SAMHSA will not enforce any penalties 

for non-compliance with the Synar reporting requirement at this time. Therefore, 2020 Annual 

Synar Reports that are out-of-compliance due to incomplete inspections will not be penalized. 

Coverage Study Extensions 

Another component of the Synar reporting process is the coverage study, which inventories retail 

outlets in each state that sells tobacco products. Some states include an in-person component of 

their coverage studies. SAMHSA understands these in-person studies may have also been 

hampered by COVID-19 orders. 

States may request a one-year coverage study extension from SAMHSA through their 

Government Project Officer (GPO). To request an extension, states need to provide their GPO 

with the most recent compliance information, including whether the previous coverage study rate 

and the retail violation rates are in compliance. 

SAMHSA is committed to supporting your state’s efforts to reduce underage tobacco usage, and 

other substance use and mental health priorities, especially during this challenging time. 

However, we also want to ensure the safety and well-being of our youth inspectors and other 

public health professionals. If you have any further questions about completing your Synar 

Behavioral Health is Essential to Health • Prevention Works • Treatment is Effective • People Recover 
 

Page 2 – State Authority for Mental and Substance Use Disorders 

report, please reach out to your GPO, or to Christopher O’Connell, Director of the Division of 

State Programs, at Christopher.oconnell@samhsa.hhs.gov. 

Sincerely, 

Elinore F. McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D. 

Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and 

Substance Use 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) • 1-800-487-4889 (TDD) • www.samhsa.gov