Pre and Post sales to minors rates following the passage of strict tobacco retail licensing in Riverside California

Sales of tobacco to minors in Riverside County was a serious public health problem with 44% of merchants surveyed in mutltiple sting operations, selling to decoys under the age of 18. In September of 2005 the Riverside County Board of Supervisors passed one of the toughest tobacco licensing ordinances in the country. Nine cities in the county have adopted licensing and nearly 1,000 tobacco retailers are now required to have a license to sell tobacco in the unincorporated areas as well as the 9 cities. Over 300 merchants have been surveyed through undercover decoy operations, and a significant decline in sales to minors has been documented. All cities that have licensing have seen a marked reduction in illegal sales by as much as 80% in some jusrisdictions. With licensing in place merchants know that if caught selling to minors the cost in losing a license is much greater than existing penal code violations that are rarely enforced.The average tobacco retailer does $30,000 per month in tobacco sales. Tobacco licensing is a serious deterrent to selling to underage minors.