Rite Aid Agrees to Curb Tobacco Sales to Minors

Rite Aid, the third-largest drug store chain in the country, has reached an agreement with state attorneys general to adopter stricter policies to prevent tobacco sales to minors, the Eugene Register-Guard reported Sept. 9.

Rite Aid has come under fire for violating tobacco-sales laws in 20 states. Under the agreement, the company will enforce tougher policies in its 3,400 U.S. stores.

Under the agreement, Rite Aid will train employees on state and local laws and company policies pertaining to tobacco sales to minors, including explaining health-related reasons for laws that restrict youth access to tobacco; check the ID of anyone trying to buy tobacco who appears to be younger than age 27; accept only valid government-issued photo identification as proof of age; and use cash registers programmed to prompt ID checks on all tobacco sales.

Also, the chain will hire an independent entity to conduct random compliance checks in more than 10 percent of its stores; prohibit self-service displays and vending machines of cigarettes, chewing tobacco and snuff; and prohibit the sale of smoking paraphernalia to minors.

Similar agreements have already been made with Walgreens, Walmart, and all gas stations operated under the Exxon, Mobil, ARCO, BP, and Amoco brands.

Source: www.jointogether.org