Rates of tobacco-related diseases are higher for persons who initiate smoking at younger ages than for those who begin at older ages (1). Restricted access to tobacco products may delay or prevent the decision by adolescents to initiate tobacco use (1,2). This report summarizes findings from the Teenage Attitudes and Practices Survey (TAPS) regarding minors' access to cigarettes during 1989.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)