Illegal sales of tobacco products to teenagers were always the main states’ problem. But now, however, unlawful sales of tobacco to minors are at historic lows, some state officials fear that Oklahoma sales might have raised enough to trigger the loss of $7 million in federal funds used to treat substance abuse.

Jessica Hawkins, director of prevention services for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, said: "We are on step to go over the threshold this year if nothing improves." According to a study, last year, 18.1 percent of Oklahoma retailers were found to have sold tobacco to minors, up from 12.5 percent the previous year.

If more than 20 percent of the state’s retail stores are cited for selling tobacco for minors, 40 percent of federal substance abuse block give funds could be stripped from the agency, Ms. Hawkins said.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a report praising all 50 states and the District of Columbia for reducing illegal sales of tobacco to minors below that 20-percent threshold.

The late Oklahoma congressman Mike Synar was author of the 1993 amendment that requires states to maintain a compliance rate of at least 80 percent on illegal tobacco sales to minors to keep the federal block grant funding.

Jim Hughes, assistant director for the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, said that the state’s pliability rate appears to be higher especially in this year.

This is the main cause why agents plainly inspect retail stores year-round throughout the state to determine compliance rates. "We’re about 70 to 80 percent done. It looks like the compliance percentages are going back up where we’ll be safe," Hughes said.

The agency conducts acted there where teenagers are sent to try to purchase tobacco products. If the minor successfully purchases tobacco, the retailer receives a citation and a fine.

If a retailer gets three citations in a two-year time period, its license to sell tobacco products can be suspended for 30 days. As it is known, Oklahoma and Tennessee are the only states in the nation that don’t allow communities to enact stricter laws or policies on tobacco than state law.

The anti-tobacco researchers concluded that the federal government should enforce the law with enough vigor to ensure that at least 80 percent of merchants are obeying the law.