Oklahoma Reaches Record Tobacco Compliance Rate
- mike33692
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Oklahoma Reaches Highest Tobacco Compliance Rate Since 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY — October 20, 2025 — Oklahoma has reached its highest compliance rate in more than a decade for preventing underage tobacco sales. According to the latest federal Synar Report, the state’s compliance rate climbed to 87.7%, the best since 2014.
The milestone marks major progress in keeping tobacco out of the hands of minors and ensuring the state maintains federal funding for prevention programs.
Strict Enforcement and Collaboration
The Synar program requires states to conduct random, unannounced inspections of retailers to check whether they sell tobacco to individuals under 21. Federal law mandates an 80% minimum compliance rate for states to receive their Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant.
“Protecting youth from the dangers of tobacco is a shared responsibility,” said Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay. “Oklahoma’s progress reflects the hard work of both state agencies and retailers.”
The Oklahoma ABLE Commission partners with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to carry out inspections statewide. Clerks who check IDs consistently have a significantly lower chance of illegal sales, officials said.
Protecting Youth and Maintaining Funding
“This work is critical to reducing youth access to tobacco and preventing lifelong addiction,” said Brandon Clabes, ABLE Commission director. “We are proud to partner with ODMHSAS to ensure Oklahoma continues to move in the right direction.”
The Synar Amendment, enacted in 1992 and named for Oklahoma Congressman Mike Synar, was created to curb youth tobacco access. In 2019, the federal minimum purchase age rose from 18 to 21, further strengthening youth protections.
Oklahoma’s success not only meets but exceeds federal compliance standards, ensuring access to critical prevention and treatment funding while supporting healthier communities.
Residents can report violations through the ABLE Commission’s Public Complaint Form at oklahoma.gov/able-commission.html or by calling the FDA hotline at (877)-287-1373.
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