Problem/Objective: According to a 2006 California Department of Health Services report, high school smoking increased by 16 percent (2004-2006). In addition, smoking among middle school students nearly doubled from 3.9% to 6.1% (2004 -2006). Illegal tobacco sales rate among retailers in Los Angeles (LA) is approximately 40% and increases to 44% for retailers located within 1,000 feet of schools. In addition, Americans below poverty level are 40% more likely to smoke than those above poverty level. The purpose of this project is to reduce the illegal tobacco sales rate to minors among licensed retailers in the 7th District of LA City through a merchant education and Citizen Citation protocol. The target population is minors in communities with low sociooeconomic status.

Methods: In order to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing tobacco sales to minors, baseline data will be collected from 211 licensed retailers in the 7th District of the City of LA from February to April 2007. 105 stores will be randomly assigned to the experimental group. Store violators will receive an educational packet and a Citizen Citation. Four months later, a second attempted purchase will take place within the same stores to evaluate the effect of the Citizen Citation and merchant education.

Results: Preliminary baseline data are currently being collected and comparison data are expected to be available in October 2007. Program results thus far and future implications for policy will be presented and discussed.

Conclusions: Program conclusion will be presented and discussed.