Behavioral Healthcare

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Sales of tobacco to minors have reached all-time lows, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The decrease seems to be a result of the Synar Amendment program, a federal and state partnership that works to end illegal tobacco sales to minors.

“This report on decreasing tobacco sales to minors shows state tobacco control efforts are working,” said Terry Cline, Ph.D., SAMHSA administrator. “States have done an extraordinary job over the last 10 years in helping us stem illegal tobacco sales to minors. Together we are making great strides in protecting our children from the death and disability that accompanies tobacco use.”

An 80 percent compliance rate among tobacco product retailers has been realized for the first time in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This is a dramatic increase from the 25 percent compliance rate noted 10 years ago at the Synar program’s inception.

According to SAMHSA’s FFY 2006 Annual Synar Reports: State Compliance, the national tobacco retailer violation rate decreased from 40.1 percent in 1997 to 10.9 percent in 2006. The national average is at its lowest point in Synar’s 10-year history. The success of the program is attributed to comprehensive strategies combining vigorous enforcement, supportive public policies and development of social climates discouraging youth tobacco use.

Synar Amendment regulations mandate that states and jurisdictions must report annually to SAMHSA on their retailer violation rates. Such rates represent the percentage of inspected retail outlets that sold tobacco products to a customer under the age of 18. Adhering to the amendment means having retailer violation rates that do not exceed 20 percent. To measure retailers’ progress, states and jurisdictions perform random and unannounced inspections of tobacco retailers. SAMHSA provides technical assistance to help states comply.

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, October 5, 2007

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