Illegal tobacco sales were easy to score, says LCPH

An underage informant was able to buy tobacco in more than a quarter of stores visited in Lorain County during undercover compliance checks carried out over the last year. Workers from Lorain County Public Health sent an informant into 38 area stores from summer 2021 to spring 2022 to see how easy it would be to illegally buy tobacco products. Ten stores completed sales to the buyer, who was not yet 21. The county health department did not fine violators and law enforcement wasn't involved. However, those store owners will be reminded that Ohio law requires them to verify a buyer is of legal age to be sold tobacco. Lorain County Public Health also conducted audits at stores, reviewing the type of tobacco being sold, the location of advertisement and the prices of tobacco products. "Research shows that youth who see tobacco advertising are two times more likely to try tobacco than youth that do not see tobacco advertising," Health Commissioner Mark Adams said. Results from 47 store audits in Lorain County revealed: • 75 percent had signs saying that the legal age of purchase is 21. • 17 percent advertised JUUL products. • 51 percent sold menthol-flavored e-cigarettes. • 68 percent of stores sold other flavored e-cigarettes. • 34 percent advertised tobacco products within 3 feet of the ground at eye level of children. • The average price for a pack of nonmenthol cigarettes was $5.16. • The average price for a pack of menthol cigarettes was $8.23.