Curbing Tobacco Sales to Minors

LIBERTY, December 4, 2004 - Constable Timothy Allison, Pct. 1 announced today that his office has received a $5000.00 grant from The Texas Comptroller's Office. This grant money will be used to help reduce tobacco sales to minors.

According to the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, each year about 57,000 Texas minors take up the habit, becoming daily smokers or tobacco users. As many as 486,000 Texans now under 18 will die prematurely due to tobacco-related illness. Texas state law contains stiff penalties against those who sell tobacco products to those under 18. Underage customers face a $250 fine and possible loss of their driver's licenses.

The Comptroller's office is responsible for the state's efforts to discourage such illegal sales. The Legislature appropriates $1.5 million each year to the Comptroller's office for projects aimed at reducing tobacco sales to minors. It was through this grant program that Constable Allison's office received its funding.

The grant will be used for retailer inspections, controlled buys ("sting" operations aimed at verifying that retailers are enforcing the laws) and educational programs on tobacco laws for retailers, parents and children.

The program works according to Constable Allison "Where communities have the money and the will to consistently enforce the tobacco laws, more retailers refuse sales to minors."

With the help of Constable Royce Wheeler Pct. 6, Constable Charles Martin Pct. 4, and Mike Little DA inspections and sting operations will be conducted through out the county under the direction of Constable Allison. Constable Allison said that inspections have already begun and he is pleased to announce that of the 20 inspections made to date that there were only minor violations that were corrected on the spot.

If the public has any knowledge of any retailer that is selling tobacco products to minors you are asked to contact Constable Allison at 936-336-4587, your name will remain anonymous.

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