Don’t get burned Convenience store alcohol and tobacco carding reminder
R
Alcohol and Tobacco Carding Reminders.indd 1
4/19/2013 8:49:43 AM
Convenience store alcohol and tobacco carding reminders Age Limitations
• Legal tobacco purchase age is 18 (19 in Alabama, Alaska and Utah). • Legal alcohol purchase age is usually 21, or the state’s minimum age.
The FDA requires anyone who appears under the age of 27 and attempts to purchase tobacco must be carded before they may purchase cigarettes or smokeless tobacco (does not apply to pipe tobacco and cigars).
ID Process
Compliance
In-state drivers license is the preferred form of proof. ID must include: • Photo • Date of birth Repeat customers who have been carded and have shown proof of legal age do not need to be carded again.
Request ID for anyone who looks under age 27. If the customer objects: • Hand the customer a tear sheet • Point to the signage • Call your manager for assistance
Media Questions
Enforcement • • • • • • •
Abide by the laws of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is the regulatory agency. Contact with state agencies from teams to conduct “sting” operations to catch potential violators. Realize that violations can result in fines of up to $15,000 for C-store owners, but no fines will be issued to minors. Rely on community activists, anti-tobacco groups, and parents to serve as watchdogs in enforcing the regulations. Use adults under the age of 27 to stage tobacco purchases to test the carding regulations. Report potential violators directly to law enforcement. Consider distributing leaflets to store personnel.
• •
Do not answer any questions Call your manager immediately
Anti-tobacco Activists • • • •
Accept information/leaflets Do not answer questions Call your manager Always be polite, courteous and professional
Violations • • • •
Fines - Business - Personal Work suspension/termination License revocation Prosecution
C-Store Operations Acknowledgement Form I have read and understand the ___________________ policy on age-restricted products and requirements. I have been informed of the legal ages for buying age-restricted products and will refuse to sell items to anyone under legal age. I will check anyone who falls into the categories of the __________________ policy listed under the “Sale of alcohol/tobacco policy” of ___________________ and have received a copy of the same policy for my personal reference. ___________________________________________________ Signature