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Less Huffing Over Kids Puffing at Rite Aid Stores
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sales of tobacco products to minors are expected to go up in smoke at Rite Aid stores as a result of an agreement reached by attorneys general of 20 states including Ohio, according to Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro. The agreement, announced yesterday, calls for Rite Aid to implement new policies and business practices to reduce the sale of tobacco products to minors.The agreement applies to all Rite Aid stores in the nation, including the 237 in Ohio."Keeping tobacco products out of the hands of our youth is an important key to preventing unhealthy addictions," Petro said. "By entering into this agreement, Rite Aid is taking a responsible and significant step in demonstrating its commitment to protecting the health of its young customers."The Rite Aid "Assurance of Voluntary Compliance" is the most recent agreement produced by an ongoing, multi-state enforcement effort. The enforcement effort, focusing on retailers that have high rates of sales to minors, seeks to secure agreements to adopt procedures to prevent sales to underage youth. State attorneys general have also reached agreements that apply to all Walgreens and Wal-Mart stores and to all gas stations operating under the Exxon, Mobil, ARCO, BP and Amoco brand names in their states.The agreement requires Rite Aid to do the following:Train employees on state and local laws and company policies regarding tobacco sales to minors, including explaining the health-related reasons for laws that restrict youth access to tobacco.Check the ID of any person purchasing tobacco products when the person appears to be younger than age 27, and only accept currently valid government-issued photo identification as proof of age.Use cash registers programmed to prompt ID checks on all tobacco sales.Hire an independent entity to conduct random compliance checks of more than 10% of all Rite Aid stores in the participating states every six months.Prohibit self-service displays of tobacco products, the use of vending machines to sell tobacco products, the sale of cigarette look-alike products, and the distribution of free samples on store property.Prohibit the sale of smoking paraphernalia to minors.The state attorneys general have long recognized that youth access to tobacco products ranks among the most serious public health problems, Petro said, adding that studies show that more than 80% of adult smokers began smoking before the age of 18. Young people are particularly susceptible to the hazards of tobacco, often showing signs of addiction after smoking only a few cigarettes, he said."