Officials say it’s an effort to promote health and wellness in youth.
Frederick, Md (KM) Between July 1st and September 30th, 2025, the Frederick County Health Department and the Liquor Board conducted compliance checks on local businesses which sell alcohol and tobacco products.
Out of the 51 stores which sold alcohol, 39 were found to be compliance with the law of not selling booze to minors,. but 12 sold alcohol to those under 21; of the 20 tobacco-selling businesses, 18 passed, but two sold tobacco products to youth.
The Health Department says the Merchant Sales Compliance Initiative’s aims is to reduce youth access to alcohol and tobacco products by conducting random compliance checks. . The goal is to protect public health and promote health and wellness in area youth.
According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey–the most recent data available–about 22 percent of all Frederick County high school students say they had at least one drink in the last 30 days.. By the time students reached the age of 18, it has increased to 39 percent.
“Protecting youth from early access to tobacco and alcohol is a top priority for Frederick County,” says Andrea Walker, Director of the Behavioral Health Services Division of the Frederick County Health Department. “Businesses that are well informed about current sales laws and compliant with those sales laws makes for a safer and healthier community.”
In conducting compliance checks in Frederick County, underage individuals visit the stores which sell alcohol and tobacco products and try to make a purchase. They have their state-issued identification or driver’s licenses, with them. If the sales clerk asks them their age, they must respond truthfully, the Health Department says. Their actions are observed by plainclothes police officers.
By Kevin McManus