States Ignore Bans On Tobacco For Kids

Most states have not tried to enforce their own bans on tobacco sales to children despite legislation that could strip them of millions of dollars in federal aid for ignoring violations of the laws, a new government report says.

A survey by the inspector general’s office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that a majority of states and U.S. territories do not enforce laws against sales of tobacco to youths under 18.

“Many states and federal health officials have dropped the ball on this critical public health issue,” said Rep. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.