Tobacco Sales to Minors on the Rise in Oklahoma

Oklahoma state officials announced this week that tobacco sales to minors are on the rise, and the increase is putting millions of dollars in federal funding in jeopardy. If more than one-fifth of the state's tobacco retailers receive citations for selling tobacco to minors, approximately $7 million, or 40 percent, of federal substance abuse block grant funds could be revoked. According to recent ABLE statistics, 18.1 percent of tobacco retailers were found to have sold tobacco to minors, a dramatic increase from 8.5 percent two years ago.

Commissioner Terri White of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services commented: "Thousands of Oklahomans' lives are at risk and millions of dollars needed for treatment services are in jeopardy. ... That's the frustrating part. These 20 percent of retailers are putting critical services at risk. ... Already, we can't provide enough services for the estimated 250,000 Oklahomans who need drug or alcohol treatment services. In a tough economic climate, this will further the decline and cause undue hardship on individuals, their families and communities."

(Sources: www.Tulsaworld.com)

Labels: oaklahoma, tobacco

posted by Aspen Education Group @ 11:26 AM