Tobacco.org

Secret shoppers seek cigarettes 

In a round of 2004 sting-style compliance checks, a watchdog group found about one quarter of Columbia County retailers sold cigarettes to secret shoppers younger than 18. In Sauk County, nearly half of the retailers checked broke the law. The statewide average for retailers selling to underage customers is 18 percent.

Under the Wisconsin Wins program, trained underage teens try to buy cigarettes from retailers, then report immediately to an adult supervisor waiting outside. The teens are required to be honest if asked their age and must comply if asked for identification.

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