An annual state survey found that illegal sales of tobacco to minors in Hawai'i increased to 11.2 percent this year, compared to 8.7 percent in 2007, bringing the state above the national average of 10.5 percent.

The percentage of tobacco sales to minors in the state has been increasing since 2005. This year's 2.5 percentage point jump is the largest since the survey began in 1996.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona called the results "troubling" at a press conference today at the state Capitol. He said clerks have become lax in checking IDs and asking customers for their age.

State law allows for the clerk selling tobacco to a minor to be fined $500, and up to $2,000 for subsequent violations, said Aiona.

The annual survey conducted by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the state Department of Health involved teams of youth volunteers between 15 and 17 and adult observers who visited 304 randomly selected stores statewide during a two-week period in April.

Thirty-four of the stores sold to minors.

Meanwhile, smoking among students in grades nine through 12 continues to decline, according to a separate survey.