FDA issues warnings to retailers for selling tobacco to minors

By Staff Writer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an average of about 3,450 teens smoke their first cigarette every day. Many adolescents have no trouble purchasing tobacco products from retail stores, which has prompted the federal government to get involved.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Friday that it has issued warning letters to store owners in Mississippi for illegally selling tobacco items to minors. Using state inspectors, the FDA found dozens of retailers who had sold cigarettes to underage teens.

Mississippi is the first state in a nationwide effort to combat teen smoking. The FDA has posted the list of retailers that sold tobacco products to minors on its website. The warning letters contain reminders of certain provisions that is included in the Tobacco Control Act, which was passed by Congress in 2009.

During compliance checks, officials are checking to see if stores violate a number of laws, such as selling of tobacco items to minors, not requesting proper identification, selling prohibited flavored cigarettes or individual cigarettes, and having self-service cigarette vending machines that can be accessed by minors.

Adolescents who smoke cigarettes may benefit from boarding schools, which aim to provide help for troubled teens.