HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/1997, C-6 - REGULATION OF THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS jcouncil 7- 1 - 3-7
aGEnaa Repoin
CI TY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: Jeffrey G.Jorgensety Attorney
SUBJECT: Regulation of the Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Grant final passage to Ordinance No. 1325 (1997 Series),as introduced on
June 17, 1997,amending Title 8 of the City's Municipal Code to include a new
chapter(8.18) restricting the display of tobacco products for the purposes of
sale,and prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors.
DISCUSSION
The City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1325 on June 17, 1997. The Ordinance amends
Title 8 of the Municipal Code to include a new Chapter 8.18 restricting the display of tobacco
products for the purposes of sale, and prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors.
The Ordinance will go into effect 30 days after final passage.
Attached:
Ordinance 1325,as introduced.
ORDINANCE NO. 1325 (1997 Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO ADDING CHAPTER 8.18 OF THE SAN
LUIS OBISPO MUNICIPAL CODE RESTRICTING THE
DISPLAY OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS FOR THE PURPOSES
OF SALE AND PROHIBITING THE SALE OF TOBACCO
PRODUCTS TO MINORS
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 8.18 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code is hereby
added to read as follows:
Chapter 8.18
REGULATION OF THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION
OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
SECTIONS:
8.18.010 Posting of Signs.
8.18.020 Sales to Minors.
8.18.030 Self-Service Sales of Tobacco.
8.18.040 Out of Package Sales.
8.18.050 Violation-Penalty.
8.18.010 Posting of Signs.
Any person, business, tobacco retailer, or other establishment subject to this
chapter shall post plainly visible signs at the point of purchase of tobacco products
which state:
"SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO PERSONS UNDER
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE IS PROHIBITED BY LAW,
PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED:'
The letters of said signs must be at least one-half inch (1/2") high.
C6"Z
Atttar hmopt A 01325
Ordinance No. 1325(1997 Series)
Page Two
8.18.020 Sales to Minors.
No person, business, tobacco retailer, or owner, manager, or operator of any
establishment subject to this chapter shall sell, offer to sell or permit to be sold any
tobacco product to an individual without requesting and examining identification
establishing the purchaser's age as eighteen years or greater unless the seller has
some reasonable basis for determining that the buyer is at least eighteen years of age.
8.18.030 Self-Service Sales of Tobacco.
A .Sales of Tobacco Products by the Pack. It shall be unlawful-for any
person, business, or tobacco retailer within the City to sell, offer for sale, or display for
sale any tobacco product by means of a self-service display. All tobacco products (other
than cartons of cigarettes, multi-container packages of smokeless tobacco and cigars
and pipe toabcco displayed for sale pursuant to subparagraph B below) shall be offered
for sale exclusively by means of vendor/employee assistance.
B. Sales of Cartons, Cigars, and Pipe Tobacco. Cartons of cigarettes,
multi-container packages of smokeless tobacco and cigars and pipe tobacco may be sold
by means of self-service merchandising displays only when such product displays are
under the direct observation of a vendor/employee. Tobacco products shall be deemed
to be under direct observation of a vendor/employee only if the tobacco products
themselves (and not merely the racks, shelves, kiosks, etc., where the products are
displayed) are in the plain and direct view of a store employee at all times.
8.18.040 Out of Package Sales.
No person, business, tobacco retailer or other establishment shall sell or offer for
sale cigarettes or other tobacco or smoking products not in the original packaging
provided by the manufacturer and with all required health warnings.
8.18.050 Violation -Penalty.
Any person, business owner, or proprietor, or employee of any business or
establishment subject to the requirements of this Chapter who violates any mandatory
Ordinance No. 132(1997)
Page Three
provision of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction, and is subject to punishment
as provided for in Chapter 1.12 of this Code.
SECTION 2. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of
Councilmembers voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days prior to
its final passage, in the Telegram-Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in
this City. This ordinance shall go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after
its final passage.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED TO PRINT by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo at its meeting held on the 17 day of June . 1997, on a motion of
CouncilMember Smith seconded by Council Member Romero and on the following
roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Smith, Romero, Williams, Roalman, Mayor Settle
Noes: None
Absent: None
Mayor Allen K. Settle
ATTEST:
ity Clerk Bon a L. awf
APPROVED:
�i ley
L-w�7
A' TING AGENDA
DHtc ITEM
California Grocers Association #
SERVING THE FOOD INDUSTRY OF CALIFORNIA SINCE 1898
q;COUNCIL ❑ CDD DIR
GAO ❑ FIN DIR
CAD 17 FIRE CHIEF
June 11, 1997 QAATTORNEY ❑ PW DIR
6ecLERKIORIG 0 POLICE CHF
rrrmento Ofrwe: C�ILj�AM 0 REC DIR
0•y. X+ Hon. Allen Settle g UTIL DIR
r"11i911,%CA 7i8l.
19161 1 18:+�.1, P.O. Box 8100 t7 PERS DIR
17161.1.18-_,7,+
City of San Luis Obispo
ut6ern California Office:
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
Ig
Dear Mayor Settle,
Last year, the California Grocers Association joined with retailers, wholesalers,
community groups, local businesses, government, law enforcement and statewide
associations to promote an exciting new national retail education program called
—` We Card.
D ; z
> o We Card is a comprehensive program that provides retailers with the tools they
U } need to help prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors. This all-encompassing,
national effort is spearheaded by the Coalition for Responsible Tobacco Retailing
tr OU and works to increase public awareness and help retailers manage this issue
_J responsibly.
EDUCATION IS THE CORNERSTONE
The We Card program provides retailers with important new tools to fight against
underage tobacco sales, including facts about the law, a video highlighting the best
methods to use when checking customer identification, and bold new signage. All
materials are free of charge and the California Grocers Association, along with other
state, regional and local associations, has helped distribute more than 34,000 We
Card kits to retailers in our state.
WE CARD TRAINING SEMINARS
We Card offers free training seminars to retailers and their clerks, at no expense to
your community, to teach them responsible sales techniques and the fundamentals on
complying with laws regarding the sale of tobacco products to minors. To date, the
California Grocers Association and others have sponsored eleven training seminars
throughout California and plans for more are underway.
THE WE CARD PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVE
The We Card program has been embraced by elected officials and retailers alike
because it provides all retailers, large and small, the opportunity to receive
meaningful training that translates into results. This not only makes additional laws,
which may hurt local businesses, unnecessary; it fosters an atmosphere of
community commitment and cooperation.
.eae
For example, when the We Card program was introduced in Santa Barbara County, it helped
to greatly reduce the percentage of tobacco sales to minors from a high of over 80% to the
current rate of 12%.
WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
We believe that a partnership between communities and retailers is the key to solving the
problem of tobacco sales to minors. We encourage you to make a difference by joining this
much needed effort, which is proving to be very successful in reducing sales of tobacco
products to minors throughout California.
Enclosed is a We Card media kit that details the comprehensive nature of the program.
Please join us in reducing tobacco sales to minors in your community by filling out the
enclosed postcard today.
If you have any questions, please call Beth Beeman at the CGA Southern California office at
(562) 432-8610.
Thank you very much. We look forward to working with you on this exciting program.
Sincerely,
CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION
Peter Larkin
President
(Presentation Material, "A Program to Prevent Tobacco Sales to Minors ,"
is available in the Council Office. )
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You know it'spore important than ever to prevent tobacco sales to minors.
But how can you do it?
The Coalition for Responsible Tobacco Retailing has the answer: Effective
employee training materials ... POS that's sure to be noticed by minors
and parents alike ... and daily reminders for sales clerks that the law must be
upheld..And these materials are available to you free of charge..
It's all part of the new Responsible Tobacco Retailer Program. It includes the
best elements of programs you may have used in the past. And we've
strengthened and expanded those efforts with tested new materials and bold
new signage. All to raise the awareness of your customers and sales clerks
alike that your state law prohibits tobacco sales to minors.
Who's leading this Coalition? People you've known and done business with
for years. Major retail and wholesale associations. Tobacco companies and
their trade associations. And the Coalition's "We Card" materials have been
endorsed by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and are being used in
their nationwide Jaycees Against Youth Smoking Program.
We're doing this for two reasons. First, it's the right thing to do— because
minors simply should not be able to buy tobacco products. Second, we all
recognize that a failure to prevent sales to minors will harm our industries
and our ability to market legal products to adults.
We hope you'll agree right now to order your "We Card" materials and join the
Responsible Tobacco Retailer Program. Just call our toll-free 800 number or
return the reply card at right. We'll ship your "We Card" Kit or program
materials as soon as we hear from you..
— The Coalition For Responsible Tobacco Retailing
Order rhe whole "We Card" Hit or indiuidual program materials, free of char e, hq calling
1 -800-WE 10 960 fail -000-935-3960
or Am the attached replq card.
The Responsible Tobacco Retailer
Program includes effective training and POS alderl8 OCTOBER
materials to help prevent the sale of tobacco - 23
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products to minors. Below are some,of the
materials you can order as part of the "We
Card" Kit..
Effective state-specific training materials.*
Kong Your kit contains employee training work-
books. These workbooks include a summary
of your state's minimum-age law ... the
Coalition's proposed.store policy on carding
underage customers .... tips on how to
handle carding situations
and reject illegal sales to minors .... and a test -all
COALITIONEER
TO RESPONSIBLE RETAILING
employees should complete as part of their job
training! A video cassette complements the Under 18
workbook presentation..
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Bold new signage. Your
under�aNo tobacco
"We Card" Kit includes
1.800-WE ID 968
oudee�e signage that your
customers are sure to notice..
Your "We Card"Kit
You'll find' POS for doors and includes this handy
re-order magnet.
windows, counter signs and employee pins- that spell
out your store's policy simply and clearly: "We Card."
* "We Card" materials are not intended to replace state-mandated signage or training.
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The Coalition's Purpose
The coalition of national retail, wholesale and
manufacturing associations was created to prevent the
sale of tobacco products to minors while increasing
u
pbl'
_ !c awareness about minimum-age laws.
WN form aCoalition 'for
Responsib a Tobacco Reta _Iing�� � ' ��
All, 50,states.,the. District,of Columbia.and;Puerto Rico � f
have minimum-age i roliibitin the 1
g .p sae Of`tobacco
to minors. To support ihese:,miiiimum=age:requirements, 1
Fourteen trade associations 1.comprise 4.retailers, wholem-
salers and manufacturers have.come together a5 the Coalition-
for-
oalitionfor Responsible Tobacco Retailing The Coalition provides•
tested:and successful training programs-and educational m
materials for store Downers .managers and employees in the y
retail industry. W49 Qwie,:simply becauseJt's'the4ight thing
to do. Minors should lnot smoke or have access to tobacco
products. Plain and simple.
Card''mate`rials teach retailers
Retailers have worked strenuous_ly,for.many,years "'We how to �
to handle a variety of:situations.,:like hN
prevent tobacco sales:to gminors The:Responsible.Tobacco one taken firm ahe,trainirig video..
Retailer program, better known,as,the `.We;Card`'program, I
incorporates the best-elements!of previous "efforts with tested
new ideas. It provides.uniform and eye catching signage:to
enhance awareness of�mimmum a-ge laws;,And:the:training,
materials give sales clerks the information ands ammunition
they need to identify_and reject attempted".tobacco purchase&
by minors'.
Under 18
-"We are.especially_happy`with the `iVe Card'
program because it adds, a tremendous
training e]ement which, was badlyneeded.
Na iabata
— John Hinkle. Kentucky Retail Association Trairsessions teach retailers how to`
avoid illegal tobacco sales.
1
Program Comiponents
The Responsible Tobacco Retailer Program is
tremendously successful because it has raised — _
public and: employee awareness of rninimum=age
laws. The most significant elements of the free �, m In-store training
program include: 9gs�o "~ has helped
managers and
employees feel
• In-store Training. Retaill owners and more confident.
managers have received training workbooks,
supported by video cassettes, to distribute to
employees. The workbook includes a summaryroe
of the state's particular minimum-age law, the ,o
store's specific compliance policy and instructions ro
for carding customers who appear underage. Moreover, the uoa�ls
training
program offers suggestions, through role-playing, on
how to deal with hostile customers, how to spot fake IN and --_—�
various common customer-clerk scenarios.
• In-store Signage. Bold red and
white signage informs customers of the ----- - ,
store's policy while serving as a reminder Roger 18 .����•
that the store cards those who look under
inmfmm.tg®.¢pigu. 'I
nder 1B
,cnamwn.
the age of 25. (MU
ay change to under a '�m„��
age 27 pending federal regulations.) OBER is?
All materials state the policy simply and No11him KQTOBACCO!
clearly: "We Card:' Retailers receive free
door and window decals, minimum-age _
calendars, workbooks, videos, magnets, Bold signage is an effective No Tobacco
counter signs and handouts for customers part of the program.
who have questions about the store's policy
or the state law. -
• Training Seminars. Trainingseminars
are available in states across the country
for retail owners, managers and employees J
who want to complement the kit distribution
with training. The training sessions allow ma �
store owners, managers and employees the
opportunity to receive hands-on experience
in responding to tobacco-retailing situations
in their stores. The sessions are also used
by store-specific trainers who then use the
material to train employees in their own
stores or chains. Training is a key component The "We Card"program has trained thousands of
of"We Card" success. retailers through nationwide seminars.
Measurable Results "The National
While both retail and manufacturing efforts have tried to curb underage Association
smoking in the past. for the first time, more than a dozen major trade of Police
associations have joined together in support of their common goal:.
preventing underage sale of tobacco. Organizations has
endorsed the
And the news is heartening. The "We Card" program is supported by
several attorneys general, the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce We Card,program
(Jaycees). 150 state retail associations nationwide and countless police because we believe
organizations throughout the United States. Every day, the Coalition that it can mare a
receives letters and phone calls from organizations praising its efforts and
requesting.more "We Card" kits for their members. To date, hundreds of real difference in the
thousands of convenience and grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores, fight against illegal
mass merchandisers and police departments have ordered "We Card" kits.
A total of 300.000 kits have been distributed to retail outlets nationwide.. tobacco Sales
to minors. "
In addition, more than 100 "We Card" training seminars have been
staged successfully in states throughout the country. Thousands of retail — Robert Scully,
employees, managers and owners have participated in these programs —
learning how to comply with the law while enlisting new and effective Executive Director
ways to ask for identification without conflict. Rick of NAPO
McAllister, author of the "We Card" instructor's guide,
maintains. "The training has not only taught retail
employees how to reject potentially hostile pur-
chasers, it helps them to understand the critical "This is the most
importance of complying with the law. The hands-on �
comprehensive
training program is a successful and important
element of the 'We Card' program." pis - effort that we've
seen undertaken
Most importantly, the "We Card" program represents ��fl
and we wanted to
a long-term commitment by all coalition partners. For
example, "We Card" billboards are donated by adver- play a major role
tisers in communities across the U.S. And, thanks to our coalition partners in that. So far.
and their successful efforts in reaching out to the community, the "We ,
Card" program has received extensive news coverage across the country. we've Sent kltS t0
This, combined with dozens of training seminars, has helped increase more than 3,500
public awareness about minimum-age laws in the 50 states. of our members
In addition, as the Coalition continues to hear from retailers nation- across the state. YY
wide who use the "We Card" program, it has collected their ideas and
experiences and distributed them in newsletters and trade publications. — Connie Barella,
Retailers, law enforcement officials and parents have joined together to New fork Association
stop children from purchasing tobacco products. Entering our second year, of Convenience Stores
we are confident that the "We Card" program is making a difference.
Coalition Goals
The Coalition understands, and studies have proven, that heightened public awareness, more
intensive training and uniform retail policies improve compliance with minimum-age laws. This
cause-and-effect reaction occurs for two reasons. First, sales clerks are better.prepared to ask
for identification and to reject attempted purchases by minors when they know the laws and
understand how to comply with them confidently. Second, when we raise public awareness
of these laws, fewer minors attempt to purchase tobacco products.
To this end, throughout the "We Card" materials and training, the Coalition encourages all
retail outlets to do the following:
#� Train sales clerks to learn their state's minimum-age laws and
provide them with the tool's to uphold the law.
Display the "We Card" signage on windows, doors and at all
sales counters to alert the public that the store means business.
*3 Require that customers who appear under age 25 provide a
photo ID for tobacco purchases. (Allay change to under age 27
pending federal regulations.) .
The Coalition has taken a big step toward preventing underage smoking but believes that the
responsibility for preventing youth access is a community one. Parents, teachers;. police officers
and retailers must all play a role in ensuring that kids can't buy tobacco products.
"We Card" Kit Distribution
•••• • 4Y• Y4..• 5. 4
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Coalition for Responsible Tobacco Retailing
National Association of Convenience Stores
Food Marketing Institute
National Grocers Association
International Mass Retail Association
American Wholesale Marketers Association
NATSO
Representing America's Travel Plazas and Trucksrops
Food Distributors International
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Retail Federation
Smokeless Tobacco Council
The Tobacco Institute
Societq of Independent Gasoline Marketers
National Association of Police Organizations
National Licensed Beverage Association
P.O. Box 27079
�b4
Washin
i i HC 20030-7079
JAICF.FS
I 1 111
Materials endorsed by The U.S. '
Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Coalition for Responsible Tobacco Retailing
P.O.Box 27819
Washington,O.C.20038-7879 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Lindsay Hutter, NAGS
202-835-3089 Tuesday, December 19, 1995 (703) 684-3600
Edie Clark, FMI
(202)429-8226
National Rssociati0n of Stu Zlotnikoff, NGA
Convenience Stores (703) 437-5300
Food Marketing Institute NEW UNIFIED PROGRAM TO PREVENT TOBACCO
SALES TO MINORS ANNOUNCED
National 6rocers Rssociation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nation's largest retailer and wholesaler associations
International Mass today announced that they had joined together to launch their largest effort ever to
Retail Bssociation promote compliance with laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors. The group,
representing more than 150,000 retailers nationwide, will work together through the
Rmerican Wholesale Coalition for Responsible Tobacco Retailing with support from the tobacco industry.
Marketers Association
The "We Card" program will provide training and educational materials to retailers to
NOTSO prevent the sale of tobacco products to underage customers.
Representing Rmerica's Travel
Plazas and Truckstops "This is the result of an extraordinary effort from many organizations," said Teri
Richman, spokeswoman for the coalition at a press conference today. "The Coalition
6rOCerS flsSOCI
National sociatiOn call Wholesale for Responsible Tobacco Retailing represents a cooperative and dedicated national
effort among retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers who all share one common goal:
National Association of to do everything we can to prevent tobacco sales to minors"
Chain Drug Stores The coalition's membership includes the National Association of Convenience Stores,
the National Grocers Association, the American Wholesale Marketers Association, the
National Retail Federation International Mass Retail Association, the National American Wholesale Grocers
Smokeless Tobacco Council Association, the Food Marketing Institute, the National Retail Federation, the National
Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Association of Beverage Retailers and
The Tobacco Institute the National Association of Truckstop Operators—who together can reach virtually
every retail outlet in the country. Members also include tobacco manufacturers and
others in the tobacco industry, represented by the Tobacco Institute and the Smokeless
Tobacco Council.
Coalition members cite a need for easy access to unified training programs and educa-
tional materials for retailers to help store employees prevent underage tobacco sales.
NO18 "With more than 25 million tobacco transactions a day in the convenience store
industry, it is imperative that our store employees have an array of tools that will assist
in preventing tobacco sales to minors," said Fred Higgins, Chairman of the Board of
the National Association of Convenience Stores. "As a retailer, I can attest to the fact
that my store employees are on the front lines in preventing tobacco sales to youth.
No iobacco
Regardless of whether a minor is using an altered ID or an adult is purchasing tobacco for a minor, our
commitment is to ensure that these illegal sales are not made.This industry-wide program provides retail-
ers with everything they need to prevent tobacco sales to minors, including information on specific state
laws and guidelines wherever a store owner operates.
"By combining our efforts, we can make this material available to everyone—from individually owned
and operated stores to larger grocery and convenience store chain outlets," he said.
The new coalition is taking a prominent role in preventing underage tobacco sales. Retailers say they
wanted to take a leadership position in addressing the issue.
"FMI has joined this effort for two primary reasons, which are really the driving forces of this program,"
said its President and CEO,Tim Hammonds. "First, it's the right thing to do— minors should not be able
to buy tobacco products. It's that simple. Second, the program is a comprehensive private-sector response
by all parties involved in the sale of tobacco products. This is a far better approach than more government
regulation, which limits how we can attack the problem."
Coalition members say that their new program—called "We Card"— includes the best elements of
programs that have been used in the past, along with newly tested materials that will allow retailers to
strengthen and expand their efforts.
"Never has such a project to prevent sales to minors been undertaken with the advantages of the 'We Card'
program," said Tom Zaucha, President and CEO of the National Grocers Association. "The coalition has
been able to build on the efforts of the past and put it all together in one easy program that can reach every
retailer selling tobacco products in this country. This program gives retailers the tools they need to train
their employees and inform their customers of what the legal requirements are in their states"
The coalition has put together a free "We Card" training kit with state-specific training materials, including
workbooks and video and audio cassettes. Easy-to-read signs and other store displays carry the minimum-
age requirement.
Retail association members are making brochures available in January to retail store owners detailing
how to obtain the kits. Wholesale distributors and tobacco-manufacturer sales forces will also make kit
information available to their customers.The coalition has also set up an 800 number for retailer requests
for materials. This process, coalition members say, will ensure that retailers and their employees know the
law and how to deal with it at the retail sales counter.
"We've made a concentrated effort to involve everybody in this coalition," said David McCorkle, who
represents the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. "Retailers will hear about the 'We Card'
program through concerted outreach efforts. They will be confident in the fact that everybody in the
business is supporting this effort and is in it for the long run. Consistency and a comprehensive approach
will be the marks of the 'We Card' program."
The "We Card" program will also make group training sessions available to store owners and managers
who prefer a seminar approach. Coalition members say that the training sessions will give the program a
personal touch that is critical in reaching out to retailers.
"Retailers from across the country will now have access to comprehensive training sessions," said Cathy
Flaherty, Executive Director of the New England Convenience Store Association. 'These.sessions will be
held frequently, and in many different parts of the country. In the sessions, retail owners and managers
learn the best ways to train sales clerks, display signage and discourage underage customers from
attempting to buy tobacco products. Using this approach, I believe that we will see a wider implementa-
tion and stronger compliance with state minimum-age laws for the purchase of tobacco from the nation's
retailers."
Participation levels by retailers will be monitored by the coalition, with results announced periodically.
"We have all heard from our members about the long-standing need for this type of unified, comprehensive
program to prevent tobacco sales to minors, so interest is already very strong in the retail community," said
Teri Richman. "Our direct mail program should reach out to 300,000 retailers within the next few months,
and among the coalition's members, we should have no trouble expanding the participation in the retail
community."
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) represents 2,000 retail members and associates
which operate more than 68,000 stores around the world.
Food-Marketing Institute (FMI) represents 1,500 members—food retailers and wholesalers
and their customers in the United States and around the world. FMI's domestic members operate
approximately 21,000 retail food stores..
The National Grocers Association (N.GA.) is the national trade association representing the retail and
wholesale grocers who comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. This industry
segment accounts for nearly one-half of all food stores sales in the United States.
II I ' III
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
As of February 28, 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
requires retailers who sell tobacco products to comply with the following regulations:
• Retailers are prohibited from selling cigarettes and smokeless
tobacco to persons under the age of 18. (19 in ,41ahc„na. Alaska and Utah)
• Retailers are required to verify by photo ID containing the
bearer's date of birth that no one purchasing cigarettes or smokeless
tobacco is younger than 18 years old. (19 in Alabama. Alaska and Utull)
• Retailers must verify the age of any purchaser who is 26 years
of age and younger.
If you have any questions or comments about these regulations, contact the FDA at
Office of Policy (HF-26), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers lone, Rockville, MD 20857, or call 1-301.827-0867.
® ❑ Yes! I would like to get involved with.the We Card program in my community.
Please have a.representative contact me with more information.
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100 W BROADWAY STE 370
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