Compliance checks crucial to enforce Tobacco 21 law

The Tuscarawas County Health Department recently partnered with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office and Empower Tusc to complete 57 compliance checks at tobacco retailers across Tuscarawas County.

The purpose of tobacco retailer compliance checks is to ensure that tobacco retailers are following the Tobacco 21 law, which makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase a tobacco or nicotine product.

Out of the 57 tobacco retailer compliance checks conducted, 51 retailers passed their compliance check and did not sell to an underage purchaser, resulting in an 89% compliance rate for Tuscarawas County.

“Compliance checks are crucial to enforce the Tobacco 21 law, cutting off youth access and protecting them from addiction,” said Jodi Salvo, Empower Tusc coordinator. “Following the Tobacco 21 law paves the way for healthier, addiction-free futures for our youth.”

All retailers that passed their compliance check will receive a packet of educational materials mailed to their retail establishment, along with a letter to inform them they passed their compliance check and the date and time of their compliance check.

“We are encouraging store owners and managers to see who was working during their compliance check and recognize that employee for doing their part to enforce Tobacco 21,” said Lakyn Craig, public health educator for the Tuscarawas County Health Department. “All retailers that did not pass their compliance check were visited by representatives from TCHD and TCSO to hand deliver their packet of educational materials and provide in-person education on Tobacco 21.”

According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, nearly all smokers start as kids or young adults, and these age groups are heavily targeted by the tobacco industry. Increasing the tobacco age to 21 helps to prevent young people from ever starting to smoke and to reduce the deaths, disease and healthcare costs caused by tobacco use. Any tobacco retailer in Tuscarawas County that would like information on Tobacco 21, an educational training for their staff or Tobacco 21 promotional resources for their retailer establishment can email Craig at lcraig@tchdnow.org.

If you or someone you know needs help quitting nicotine and/or tobacco products, call the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-784-8669 to get connected with a free quit coach today.