More retailers sell tobacco to minors

The number of Washington retailers illegally selling tobacco to minors has tripled since 2006, according to a new state report.

The rate of illegal sales in 2008 was about 15 percent. That's up from 9 percent in 2007 and 5 percent in 2006.

"This is unacceptable," said Mary Selecky, Washington's secretary of health, in a news release. "We've got to reverse this trend now. We know when tobacco is harder to get, kids are less likely to pick up this deadly habit."

If the state's underage smoking rate exceeds 20 percent, Washington could lose about $13 million in federal funding for drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention and treatment.

There's a financial cost for retailers as well. Clerks who sell tobacco to minors can be fined up to $100; retail owners can be fined up to $1,500, and their licenses can be revoked permanently after multiple violations.

A study in the Seattle area found that stores combined with gas stations are most likely to sell tobacco to minors. Those shops will be the focus of extra education.

According to the state Department of Health, the youth smoking rate has decreased by about 50 percent. There now are 65,000 fewer underage smokers in the state.