(For Immediate Release)

More Madison businesses than ever before are checking ID’s and refusing to sell tobacco to minors according to compliance checks by the Madison Department of Public Health. According to checks conducted during the first six months of this year, clerks selling tobacco checked ID’s 94% of the time. That’s the highest compliance level ever for Madison vendors.

Compliance checks are done at every business that sells tobacco, including taverns. Results of this year’s checks determined that taverns have increased compliance rates from 64% in 2001 to 98% in 2004. While taverns made the most dramatic improvement, all vendor groups either maintained a high level of compliance or improved their ability to prohibit tobacco sales.

"We are encouraged by the improvement in these numbers," said Dr. Kathryn Vedder, Director Madison Department Public Health. "It shows not only that our aggressive enforcement is making an impact, but that vendors are making lasting changes that ultimately will effect the health of this community."

Convenience stores continue to be the greatest concern when it comes to tobacco sales to minors. The compliance level of 89% is the highest yet achieved by this vendor group. However, it is the lowest among all vendor groups and these are the vendors most likely targeted by minors as a source of tobacco.

Madison Department of Public Health and the City Attorney continue to aggressively enforce non-compliance with tobacco sales laws. As required by Wisconsin State Statute, license holders and sales clerks are both cited when a tobacco sale is made to a minor. The penalty for a first offense is a fine of $52.40. Additional offenses within 12 months receive a fine of up to $500 plus court costs and suspension of the tobacco license for up to 30 days.

"There is still work to be done to reach our goal of 95% compliance by all vendors," Dr. Vedder said. "We congratulate the vendors who are complying with this important public health law and are hopeful that Madison will soon reach 100% compliance."

Attached you will find a listing of all Madison Vendors who did not pass compliance checks the first half of 2004.

For more information contact Pam Tauscher, Public Information Officer, 294-5312, or John Hausbeck, Environmental Epidemiologist 294-5315.