SHENANGO VALLEY

Stores snuffing out child tobacco sales

Underage smoking just gets harder for area juveniles because more businesses are butting into kids’ attempts to purchase cigarettes.

According to the Department of Health, out of 12 stores they sent teens into to buy packs of cigarettes, only three sold them to underage kids on July 24.

"When we did our last survey in December, half the stores sold cigarettes to under-age kids, so its definitely an improvement," said Carole B. Barefoot, representative for the Northwest District of the state Department of Health. Approximately six stores were checked.

Lakeway Restaurant, New Vernon Township; Standard Market of Sharon and Ned’s Market of Farrell violated the state’s tobacco age of sale law, selling cigarettes to underage teens.

Standard Market and Ned’s Market were unable to be reached for comment.

According to Ken Humphrey, owner of Lakeway Restaurant, "We only sell about 10 packs a day. The girl who sold them has been disciplined.