Balto. Co. approach to enforcement called ineffective
Jump to full article: Baltimore (MD) Sun, 2008-07-05
Author: Laura Barnhardt * Sun reporter
Intro: To lift a burden from the police, Baltimore County lawmakers authorized the Health Department last year to take over the task of imposing fines on store clerks who sell cigarettes to underage teenagers.
But the county hasn't been doing that job - intentionally - because officials say they are opposed to using minors in sting operations.
The county's approach is drawing criticism from some legal and health advocates who say it is not an effective deterrent.
"You can shake your finger, but if there's no repercussions, what will make a person think twice about it?" said Sherryce Robinson, a member of the Smoke Free Baltimore County Coalition who also works for the American Cancer Society.
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