Measuring statewide merchant compliance with tobacco minimum age laws: TheMassachusetts experience

Objectives. This study evaluated merchant compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors in Massachusetts. Methods. Stratified cluster sampling was used to select outlets from which youths aged 13 to 17 years attempted to purchase tobacco. Results. Illegal sales were more common when the youth purchasing the tobac co was older, when the clerk was male, and when tobacco was obtained from a self-service display or unlocked vending machine. Failure to request proof of age was the strongest predictor of illegal sales. Conclusions. Measured compliance rates are strongly influenced by the age o f the youths used to purchase tobacco.