Tobacco Enforcement

Stopping the Sale of Tobacco to Kids

Surveys of adult smokers in Pennsylvania show that about half of them had first tried cigarettes by age 14, and 70% of them were smoking regularly before they left high school.

In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for youth under the age of 18 to use or possess tobacco. It is also illegal for anyone to give tobacco to a person under the age of 18. The Department of Health Tobacco Prevention Program supports the efforts of county and school tobacco prevention programs to restrict youth access to tobacco.

County Detectives and local police departments along with the Erie County Health Department conduct checks to ensure compliance with state law.

Federal law requires states to keep youth tobacco sales rates at or below 20%. Compliance with this requirement is measured through random checks of retailers during which kids attempt to buy tobacco.

Research shows that state tobacco prevention programs must be broad-based and comprehensive to be effective. Restricting youth access to tobacco is an effective strategy for reducing tobacco use among young people when it is combined with other elements of a comprehensive plan.

Tips about tobacco non-compliance or questions about tobacco compliance can be emailed to [javascript protected email address]