A survey of 830 retailers conducted by the Maryland comptroller's office shows that underage students sent into stores to purchase tobacco were successful 35 percent of the time. That figure is down from 54 percent in 1996 and 36 percent last year, but state health secretary Dr. Martin Wasserman said "the rate still remains unacceptably high. This report shows we still have a lot of work to do in the effort."

The survey also showed that minors were able to buy cigarettes at 70 percent of vending machines tested, down from 96 percent in 1996 and 87 percent last year.

Source(s): BALTIMORE SUN (on-line), (12/22/98) "Teens Can Easily Buy Cigarettes, Survey Shows", Associated Press

USA TODAY, (12/23/98)" Maryland", p. A5

Albuquerque Retailers Selling Tobacco Products To Minors [here]