Para la versión en Español por favor haga clic aquí
| The Responsible Connecticut Retailer | November 17, 2022 | Issue 14 | | The Great American Smokeout | | | | |
Today – November 17, 2022 – is the Great American Smokeout. Thousands of people across the country who smoke, vape, or use other tobacco products will make today Day One on their journey towards living healthier, tobacco-free and vape-free lives. The American Cancer Society and the Connecticut QUITLINE offer free resources and support to help individuals take this first step. As a tobacco and/or e-cigarette retailer, you can participate in this event by checking the photo IDs of everyone who purchases tobacco products and e-cigarettes, not only today but every day. What you do matters!
| | | Statewide Compliance Inspections Are Underway |
The Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services’ (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) carry out statewide compliance inspections to ensure retailers follow Connecticut’s tobacco 21 law and do not sell tobacco products and e-cigarettes to customers under 21 years of age. TPEP staff conduct in-person inspections across the state, during which they monitor the sales of cigarettes, other tobacco products, e-cigarettes, vapor products, and cigars. Be a responsible member of the community. Avoid fines and penalties. Verify your customers’ photo ID and never sell to a person under 21. What you do matters.
| | | New Tobacco Notice of Law Sign |
The Tobacco Merchant & Community Education Steering Committee mailed to tobacco retailers an updated Tobacco Notice of Law sign in August 2022. The updated sign informs retailers and customers that EVERYONE who buys cigarettes or other tobacco products must present a valid form of photo ID in order to complete the sale. Retailers are required by law to post the sign in their store in an area that is visible to customers. Signs are available in English and Spanish. For additional signs, please contact Connecticut Clearinghouse at 1.800.232.4424 or info@ctclearinghouse.org.
| | | Checking Connecticut Drivers' Licenses: A Helpful Tip | Retailers can make a preliminary verification of age by looking at the orientation of the customer’s driver’s license (vertical vs. horizontal) when selling tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes. | | |
A vertical driver’s license means that the customer is under 21 years old – or was under 21 years old when the license was issued. Retailers should still check that the photo matches the customer and that the date of birth places the customer under 21 years of age. If the customer is under 21, do not sell tobacco products or e-cigarettes to them.
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A horizontal driver’s license means the customer is 21 years old or older. However, retailers should still check to make sure the person buying tobacco products or e-cigarettes matches the picture on the license – that he/she is the owner of the license and is not using someone else’s ID. If the person matches the photo on the license and there is no evidence of tampering, then the retailer can safely make the sale.
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Free FDA Trainings
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products offers a series of webinars on federal tobacco regulations to provide compliance education and information to retailers. For the latest webinars, visit their website: FDA Tobacco Compliance Webinars | FDA.
| | | Updates to Connecticut Tobacco & E-Cigarette Training | | |
Take the free online training today!
The training has been updated to include information about the new Connecticut law that requires retailers to check and verify the photo ID of EVERYONE who buys cigarettes and/or other tobacco products.
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Contact Us
For any questions or new notice sign requests, click here to contact us or call 1-800-232-4424.
| | | Tobacco Merchant & Community Education Steering Committee Meeting | | Please join us at our next meeting! | |
| | Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87905186194 | | 02/07/23 1:00pm - 02/07/23 2:30pm | | | | | |
