To the editor:

In recent years, the Gloucester and Rockport Boards of Health have received grant funding from the Massachusetts Health Officers Association to conduct retailer education and inspections to make sure stores did not sell tobacco to minors.

I want to commend the Boards of Health for their hard work and success in preventing illegal tobacco sales to kids.

Unfortunately, state budget cuts have eliminated funding to continue these activities. While local retailers may still be subject to random compliance checks by the state, we must hope that retailers will work to ensure they are in compliance with state and local laws.

It will also be up to community residents to help. Tell the owners and staffs of stores you frequent that this issue is important and that it matters to you as a customer that they not sell tobacco to minors. If you see clerks request identification before sales, commend them. If clerks do not ask for identification, speak up. Violations can be reported to the Massachusetts Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program at 800-992-1895.

Young people are being aggressively targeted by the tobacco industry which continues to find new ways to attract kids to their addictive, deadly products.

Without local funding for prevention, it is essential that all community residents, retailers and customers alike, are vigilant in our efforts to prevent the tobacco industry's successful recruitment efforts.

Sarah McColgan

Tobacco control director,

Massachusetts Health Officers Association

Springfield