In Wisconsin 1 in 5 adults regularly smoke cigarettes. While those ages 18 and older are at liberty to purchase tobacco, we hold a legal responsibility not to enable the purchase of tobacco by minors.
Two weeks ago, we completed the requirements for a statewide program called “Wisconsin Wins” on behalf of Green Lake County. The program’s purpose is to decrease youth access to tobacco products.
As part of the program, a minor under age 18, entered local tobacco retailers like convenience stores, grocery stores, or bars and attempted to purchase a pack of cigarettes. The youth responded honestly when asked his or her age or for his or her ID.
When a sale did occur, we spoke to the clerk, addressing how they unfortunately broke state law and were now at risk of a maximum $500 fine issued by local law enforcement. We also passed out educational flyers, window decals informing shoppers that no one under 18 should be sold tobacco products (Wisconsin statute 134.66), and stickers to place on cash registers reminding clerks to check IDs.
In stores that did not sell to the minor, we congratulated the clerk and encouraged him or her to continue complying with the law.
Seven checks were completed in Green Lake County; can you guess how many businesses illegally sold to the minor? Three!
We were shocked that nearly 43 percent of retailers we visited failed to uphold this simple law. For youth with Wisconsin drivers’ licenses and IDs, the date they turn 18 is printed and highlighted in bright yellow beneath their photo. Their birthdate is also listed in bold, red lettering.
You might think that the clerks that sold to the minor simply didn’t ask for her ID. Wrong! Two of the three clerks asked to see an ID; they “checked” the ID and still sold him or her cigarettes.
What disappointed us most was the apparent complacency these clerks demonstrated toward the law. To us, selling tobacco to minors says, “I’m fine with giving carcinogens to teenagers. Here let me put some arsenic, lead, tar, and formaldehyde into your lungs. I’m ok with giving you cigarettes which may lead to infertility or stillbirth should you decide to get pregnant.”
We all have a duty to make sure tobacco is kept out of the hands of minors. There is no reason a minor should be able to enter a Wisconsin tobacco retailer and walk out with any tobacco product including cigars, rolling papers, chewing tobacco or loose tobacco.
Retailers who sell tobacco must post a sign informing customers that it is illegal to sell tobacco products to minors. Not every business we went to had a sign posted.
Further, Wisconsin Statute requires that clerks selling tobacco be trained and that an acknowledgement of the training be kept in the personnel file of the employee. We highly encourage clerks and employers visit Smokecheck.org for study guides and test to fulfill this requirement.
Despite our disappointment with the sales that did occur, we deeply thank the four tobacco retailers that did not sell to a minor. We appreciate your dedication to the law. We would also like to thank Green Lake County law enforcement for working with the Health Department and issuing citations where appropriate.
Whether you are a tobacco retailer or not, it takes support from every member of Green Lake County to promote communities where youth can thrive. Instead of enabling underage tobacco use, we challenge you to promote a healthy county and healthy state.
Andrea Lyke and Victoria Shereshevsky, Green Lake County Health Dept. Interns.
Información publicada originalmente en: http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/opinion/article_ef5e9588-ed03-11e2-a16c-001a4bcf887a.html
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