Study finds decline in tobacco sales to minors

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Undercover checks of Indiana retailers show fewer store clerks are willing to sell tobacco products to minors.

That's according to an annual study by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center, part of the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

Researcher Aaron Jones says tobacco sales to youth under age 18 occurred during only 7.2 percent of the more than 8,000 unannounced inspections last year. That's the lowest rate since the inspections began in 2000.

The center sends youths into stores along with undercover officers from the Indiana State Excise Police.

In Indiana, it is illegal for a store clerk or a retail establishment to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.