Inuvik (July 11/03) - An undercover teen helped the feds last week in a sting operation to test local tobacco retailers and the majority of retailers failed the test.

Roger Reid, an inspector for the tobacco control program, was in town with a 16-year-old "test shopper", who went into Inuvik stores with the intent to purchase tobacco.

Of the nine stores where an attempt was made, the teen succeeded at six.

In the last test in Alberta, Reid said retailers there were 85 to 95 per cent compliant with the regulations, compared to 33 per cent in Inuvik.

Stores were also checked for the display and storage of tobacco products and ll were in compliance with the act. Of 12 retailers checked, three did not have proper signage on the premise.

While only warnings were issued this time, Reid said the retailers could face up to $3,000 fines for improper storage, no signs and furnishing tobacco products. The clerk making the sale also faces the same fine.

"The fines can run up to $50,000 for the second offence and they may have their tobacco selling licence suspended or revoked," he said.

A sign was posted at each of the retail stores where the infractions occurred and if caught again, the stores and clerks will face federal charges.

"We will charge both the clerk and the (store)," he said, adding that most charged are convicted. "In my six years in doing this, conviction rate is 100 per cent. There is no defence."

Health Canada has been enforcing the federal Tobacco Act since 1997. The act states that no one can "furnish" tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.

"You can not sell, give, lend or barter, with or without consideration," Reid explained. "A person offering a cigarette to a minor on the street is guilty of an infraction under the federal Tobacco Act."

The act does not just include tobacco and cigarettes -- rolling papers and tubes also included.

Reid said they hire young people to be the test shoppers, but local people aren't used in the test.

"The go into the store and do not carry any identification with them," Reid said. "If the clerk asks for identification they say they don't have any; they are not allowed to lie."

In the past, Reid has been coming to the NWT about once per year to conduct the test, but says the government has asked that he boost that to two or three times per year.