Underage tobacco buyers are on notice by Ohio retailers

By Terri Dee

As of 2019, Ohio state law declares selling or providing tobacco products to anyone under 21 is illegal.

While retailers strive for compliance, one nonprofit said minors and young adults still find ways to obtain nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes and vaping products. The We Card Program trains and educates responsible merchants to remain vigilant by scanning IDs, checking for fakes and denying underage sales.

Doug Anderson, president of the program, said while retailers have clamped down on illegal sales at the counter, there is still the issue of adults who provide tobacco to those who are underage.

"Social access, social sourcing. That not only includes that adult buying or providing age-restricted product but it also includes bumming and borrowing. Eighty percent of the time, that's how kids report getting their access," Anderson pointed out.

Any component intended for use in an electronic smoking device is also age-restricted, according to the Ohio Department of Public Health.

Anderson noted nearly 30 years ago, government checks of stores showed a 40% violation rate for underage purchases. The We Card Program was formed by a national coalition to focus on addressing the problem with the combined efforts of retailers, parents and community members.

"Today, and for many years now, that violation rate has hovered around 10%. That's one out of 10 times. Well, that's still one too many. That's one of the reasons why, you know, we don't take our foot off the accelerator, and nor should retailers," Anderson emphasized.

The organization supports store window signage to inform customers of the likelihood of being carded at the counter. Anderson hopes the decals will encourage adults to be comfortable saying no when someone under 21 asks them to provide or purchase tobacco products.