New York - New York City yesterday unleashed a squad of undercover teenage agents to nab merchants who sell cigarettes to minors.
The Consumer Affairs Commissioner, Mr Jules Polonetsky, said the "Summer Smoke Out" would pay about 100 teenagers $6.25 an hour to try to buy tobacco from the more than 15,000 licensed sellers in the city.
Those caught breaking the ban on cigarette sales to people under 18 face fines of up to $300 for a first violation. Three violations can result in a fine of $1,000 and a one-year license suspension.