ENCOURAGE LOCAL ENFORCEMENT TO ENFORCE TOBACCO CONTROL LAWS

One of the primary ways your local police department or sheriff’s station enforces the law prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors is through “youth decoy operations”. Such operations are similar to the youth purchase surveys described in the Community Profile section but involve law enforcement personnel, who have the ability to cite store clerks and owners who sell tobacco to a minor.

As with youth purchase surveys, under-age youth are recruited and trained by law enforcement agencies for “youth decoy operations” to approach tobacco retailers and attempt to buy tobacco. However, unlike a youth purchase survey, if the clerk sells tobacco to a minor in a youth decoy operation, he or she can be cited for violating the law.

As publicly funded organizations, local law enforcement agencies are responsive to the needs and priorities of the community. If you are concerned about the illegal sale of tobacco to children in your community, ask your local law enforcement agency to conduct more youth decoy operations.

Take Action!

• Write a letter to the Chief of your local police department or the Captain of your local sheriffs station encouraging stronger enforcement of tobacco control laws in your community. You may use our sample letter to law enforcement as a guide. Click here for a listing of local law enforcement agencies throughout San Diego County.
• Volunteer to assist with youth purchase surveys or law enforcement operations. In these financially challenging times, local law enforcement and community health agencies appreciate the support and participation of community members in these important efforts to stop the sale of tobacco to children.