Services

CSCS provides the following services to increase compliance with the Texas Tobacco law and reduce initiation of youth tobacco use in accordance with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Tobacco Prevention Initiative:

• Identify and recruit local enforcement agencies (LEAs) for participation in tobacco prevention and enforcement activities.
• Develop performance standards for individual LEAs.
• Execute contracts with participating LEAs.
• Train LEA personnel.
• Provide technical assistance and additional training as necessary.
• Monitor LEA contractor performance.
• Collect and report LEA enforcement data.
• Disburse funds to LEA contractors.

DSHS Law Enforcement Contractors

CSCS contracts with local law enforcement agencies to provide many different tobacco-related services. Each agency is expected to fulfill a variety of contract requirements. CYI currently provides training and technical assistance for the contracted law enforcement agencies in the southeast Texas area.

Texas Tobacco Law: Enforcing It Is Easy

The Texas tobacco law is a comprehensive approach to reducing children's access to tobacco products. It requires tobacco retailers to verify the age of purchasers and prohibits giveaways of free samples and coupons to anyone under 18 as well as outdoor advertising within 1,000 feet of a church or school. Nevertheless, some teenagers still find ways to illegally get cigarettes. Find out the consequences of the law for minors and retailers, and what you can do to help enforce this law.

More at: http://www.texastobaccolaw.org/law.html