<b>"Health Department Checks Whether Stores Sell Tobacco To Minors"</b>

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An arm of Metro government took its anti-smoking program into the stores of Nashville on Saturday. It’s called the “Reward and Reminder” part of the health department. It helps ensure that retailers do not sell tobacco products to minors. 
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There is a lot of attention right now on government efforts to curb smoking, especially among teenagers. One of the things Metro government is doing is the “Reward and Reminder” program, where it checks to see if stores are selling tobacco to minors: in the case that a store sells tobacco to minors, they receive a reminder; if not, they are thanked for following the laws. 
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...department worker first goes into a store where tobacco is sold. He is then followed a minor who has volunteered as part of the department’s youth advisory board. The minor attempts to buy several items, including <a href="http://www.cigline.net">CIGARETTES</a>. 
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Retailers don’t know they are being tested to see if they would sell to minors, but the ones targeted have had violations before. If they are found in violation again, they will receive a letter from the health department. 
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The Metro health department hopes to survey more than 50 retailers by May. In previous years, the program has found that anywhere from 20-50% of stores will sell tobacco to minors. The “Rewardand Reminder” program has been around for two years. 
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by WKRN Nashville Tennessee.