A crackdown on illegal sales of tobacco to underage youth in New York City has led to a record compliance rate among local retailers, Crain's New York Business reported April 11.

A recent inspection found that 89 percent of tobacco retailers were found to be in compliance with underage tobacco-sales laws, a record. Overall compliance has risen from 52 percent in 1998.

In addition, 91 percent of prior offenders had stopped making illegal sales. Compliance was checked by teams of 15- to 17-year-olds who, working with inspectors at the city's Department of Consumer Affairs, attempt to buy cigarettes.

There are about 11,000 businesses licensed to sell cigarettes in New York City. The city conducted 16,300 undercover inspections in 2006.