Today the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program reported on 1996 Synar enforcement data. Synar enforcement data over the past three years since 1996 unmistakably shows the Synar program has been extremely successful in achieving its goals.
All states now have laws making it illegal to sell or distribute tobacco to minors.
All have developed methods for measuring statewide compliance with tobacco access laws and have conducted random, unannounced inspections of outlets and they are enforcing their state youth tobacco control laws. In addition, states continue to improve their laws. Eight of those States made extensive changes to their laws to provide a comprehensive approach to prohibiting sales of tobacco products to minors. Average retailer sales rates to minors, as measured by the states annually, have been reduced. The average sales rate for FY 1998 was approximately 25 percent, down from approximately 40 percent in FY 1997.