A local organization striving to prevent underage tobacco and alcohol consumption has produced a video program to educate retail business owners and employees in the county.

Thursday, March 21, 2002

A local organization striving to prevent underage tobacco and alcohol consumption has produced a video program to educate retail business owners and employees in the county.

This week, the Albert Lea Police Department started distributing the video directed by Matt Levorson, a college sophomore studying art, sponsored by Stop Teen Access to Tobacco/Community Alcohol and Drug Education Team.

There are about 100 tobacco and alcohol retailers in the county. The video shows how compliance checks are conducted, what to look for on an I.D., and what penalties are involved for selling to minors.

According to ALPD Lt. Phil Bartusek, tobacco and alcohol consumption among youths has been dropping since the police started regular compliance checks two years ago.

Yet, 36 percent of Albert Lea 12th graders smoked at least once last year and 60 percent consumed alcohol. In ninth grade, the figures were 20 percent and 32 percent.

&uot;The chance of becoming a habitual smoker significantly increases if kids start smoking under 18,&uot; Bartusek said.