Indiana reports fewer illegal tobacco sales to minors but state data show the problem is far from solved.

A new report found violation rates dropped to a 12-year low, meaning most underage buyers fail when attempting to buy tobacco.

Aaron Jones, FDA and Synar program manager for Prevention Insights at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, said inspections drive the numbers.

"We do a random sampling from all tobacco retailers in Indiana," Jones explained. "For 2025's data, that ended up to be about 350 completed inspections, and we had a retailer violation rate of 10.5, which is the lowest we've seen since 2013."

Supporters said enforcement and training are working but critics argued any failure rate means kids still have access. The data show a major gap when clerks skip ID checks.

Jones stressed the evidence underscores the importance of carding during transactions with young people.

"If we can just get retailers in the habit, make them understand that it's such a useful tool to ask for the ID, verify that someone is 21," Jones urged. "If they're doing that step, they're gonna go a long way to not sell tobacco to someone under 21."

Starting July 1, Indiana raises the age threshold for carding to anyone who looks under 40. Health experts said delaying the first use of tobacco remains key to preventing lifelong addiction.

Source: Public News Service