Pueblo Health and Law Enforcement Officials Crack Down on Illegal Tobacco Sales to Minors

Starting March 1, all retailers in Pueblo who sell non-cigarette tobacco products must be licensed. Health leaders say this increases the stakes for violators. 

"If retailers know their license is on the line if they do it, I think they'll be a lot more careful," said Dr. Chris Nevin-Woods, director of the Pueblo City-County Health Department . "The goal is to keep young people from being able to purchase tobacco."

In Colorado it's illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy tobacco products.One survey in Pueblo shows 75 percent of minors who try to buy tobacco are successful. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment surveys show more than 60 percent of high school students statewide were able to buy cigarettes illegally.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office recently conducted an undercover smoke sting. They had minors attempt to buy cigarettes and chew at eleven stores throughout Pueblo County, with Pueblo News 5 watching. See the results: