KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Only one of the ten Vashon Island tobacco retailers sold to a minor during recent tobacco compliance checks, making this the third straight year that tobacco retailers on Vashon Island have achieved a compliance rate of 90% or better.

"We are very pleased to see such high compliance rates in the Vashon community and greatly appreciate the efforts of the area's retailers," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Retailers play a vital role in our efforts to limit youth access to tobacco. If we can keep our children from tobacco addiction before the age of 18, studies show they will likely never start using it."

State law prohibits merchants and adults from providing tobacco products to anyone younger than 18 years of age. During compliance checks, retailers refusing to sell tobacco to minors are congratulated in person and given an information packet. Those caught selling tobacco to a minor are subject to fines from the Liquor Control Board and are educated regarding selling tobacco responsibly.

A first time offense results in a $100 fine for the licensed retailer and a $50 fine for the individual clerk whom made the sale. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $1,000 and may have their license to sell cigarettes suspended.

Public Health - Seattle & King County re-checks tobacco retailers in various communities several times throughout the year, and makes sure to re-check retailers that sell to underage youth within a short time frame.

Anyone who witnesses a merchant or other adults providing tobacco to a minor is encouraged to notify his or her local Liquor Control Board enforcement office to file a confidential complaint.

For more information on tobacco prevention and control, please visit Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program at www.metrokc.gov/health/tobacco