July 23, 2004

A proposed Stanislaus County ordinance intended to curb illegal tobacco sales to minors would force retailers to cough up a new $200 annual license fee.
The ordinance also would punish stores caught selling tobacco to minors during undercover sting operations conducted by the Sheriff's Department.

The Stop Tobacco Sales To Youth Committee is the community-based group spearheading the campaign for the proposed law.

"We really see this as an enforcement plan," said Ken Fitzgerald, a member of the committee.

The proposed law only would affect stores in the county's unincorporated areas. Most of the money from the license fee would fund enforcement.

The committee hoped to inform 120 retailers in the area about the proposed law at a town hall meeting Wednesday afternoon in Modesto, but only two merchants showed up.

One retailer views the proposed law as a money maker for the county, not a deterrent to underage smoking. He fears being targeted for his remarks, so he asked not to be identified.

California has a state law restricting retailers from selling tobacco to minors. At the meeting, the two retailers questioned the need for a local law that would squeeze more money from the stores.

Fitzgerald told them that county law enforcement would achieve better results.

Sales to minors still widespread

According to a recent purchase survey conducted by the committee, 26 percent of the merchants contacted in Stanislaus County sold tobacco to minors.

Tabetha Sherwood, 17, of Modesto worked as a decoy in some of those surveys.

She works with anti-tobacco efforts because her father started smoking when he was 9. "I just want him to live longer," Sherwood said.

Kerrie Valenzuela of the California American Lung Association said she helps youths as young as 13 quit smoking.

"The earlier you start, the harder it is to quit," Valenzuela said. "It's not like they're bumming cigarettes. They have an addiction."

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at 578-2330 or lahumada@modbee.com.