Public Health and Redmond Police team up to reduce youth access to tobacco

KING COUNTY, WA - Public Health - Seattle & King County has teamed up with the Redmond Police Department to ensure Redmond retailers are not selling tobacco to minors. The stings, also known as compliance checks, include the participation of underage youth who enter retail establishments to attempt to purchase tobacco. During the latest round of compliance tests in Redmond, 22 out of 25 retailers refused to sell tobacco to minors.

The major focus of this joint effort between Public Health and the Redmond Police Department is to educate retailers about the new Washington State IDs and driver's licenses. Washington State has begun issuing a new and improved license format that has specific features to help clerks quickly identify underage customers.

New IDs and licenses feature:

• Vertical format for everyone under 21 years of age
• Minor identifier section that shows when person turns 18 or 21 years of age
• Larger and bolder date of birth
• Bar-coded information on back for quick scanning

"Retailers, officials and the community are creatively collaborating to limit youth access to tobacco," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

"The new IDs and licenses have features that make it easier for retailers to refuse the sale of tobacco to minors."

State law prohibits merchants and adults from providing tobacco products to anyone younger than 18 years of age. During the tests, retailers refusing to sell tobacco to minors are congratulated in person and given an information packet. Clerks caught selling tobacco to minors received violation notices from the Redmond Police. Storeowners also received citations from the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

A first time offense results in a $100 fine for the retailers and a $50 fine for the clerk. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $1,000 and may have their license to sell cigarettes suspended. People witnessing a merchant or other adults providing tobacco to a minor are encouraged to call their local Liquor Control Board to file a confidential complaint.

For more information on tobacco prevention and control, please visit Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Program at www.kingcounty.gov/health/tobacco.