Posted Friday --- February 22, 2008

Doyle says youth smoking hits lowest point ever in state

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Jim Doyle says illegal sales of cigarettes and tobacco to young people in Wisconsin has hit an all-time low.

Doyle says the 2007 sales survey shows that the noncompliance rate was just 4.5%. That compares with 5.5% in 2006, the previous low.

The noncompliance rate was as high as nearly 34% in 2001.

The survey looks at retail outlets that sell tobacco illegally to minors under age 18.

AP