Across 31 counties in northern Lower Michigan, the teens will go to 935 out of 2,213 retailers. That includes 96 out of 175 in Grand Traverse County. Before a county committee approved the plan, Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Dennis LaBelle insisted on some changes to the FDA guidelines, such as barring children under the age of 16 from participating. LaBelle also insisted that students not be paid for participating, and that police officers rather than adults selected by the American Lung Association accompany students on the stings. Two Grand Traverse County officers have been trained to act as investigators in the stings.
Willings believes it remains too easy for minors to buy cigarettes in Grand Traverse County.
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