Hannon: New York Has No ToleranceFor Retailers Who Break The Law

New York State Senator Kemp Hannon (R-6th S.D.) announced recently nearly $2.6 million in fines were assessed during the past federal fiscal year against retailers who sold tobacco to minors.

The state Health Department's 2005-06 Youth Access Tobacco Enforcement Annual Report documents significant statewide accomplishments - including more than 40,000 compliance inspections of tobacco retailers, resulting in 3,200 fines statewide, and a retailer non-compliance rate of 10 percent, the lowest in the nine years since the inspection program began.

Senator Hannon, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, said, "The temptation to make a short-term profit by selling cigarettes to kids should be squashed by knowledge of the law and the realization that these sales lure young people into a dangerous addiction. Stop selling tobacco to kids. No excuses."