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A fifth of retailers caught selling cigarettes to minors
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Posted on Jan 25 2009
[B]By HAIDEE V. EUGENIO[/B]
[I]haidee_eugenio@saipantribune.com
REPORTER[/I]
REPORTER[/I]
An estimated 20 percent or at least 51 of the 259 retailers licensed to sell tobacco products on Saipan were found selling cigarettes to minors or those under the age of 18, according to the Department of Commerce’s Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control Division.
ABTC director David Maratita said yesterday the violators were caught during random sting operations in multiple locations on the island.
Some of them were repeat violators and face a fine of at least $500, while others were issued warning letters. ABTC revisits retailers that were issued citations to monitor compliance.
“Around 80 percent of the licensed retailers are complying with the tobacco law and about 20 percent are not in compliance,” he said.
Because of the noncompliance rate, ABTC conducts workshops and educational campaigns about the tobacco law. On Thursday, the division conducted a half-day tobacco merchant workshop on its programs, activities and tobacco laws, including Public Law 11-75 which aims to prevent the use of tobacco products among the youth.
“I like to emphasize that the law prohibits selling of tobacco products to minors or those who are under 18 years old. The law also prohibits selling of alcoholic products to those below 21 years old,” Maratita said.
Separate workshops are also planned for bartenders, waitresses, waiters and bar owners.
ABTC also visits schools to educate students about tobacco-related laws and regulations.
