Clark County Sees Drop in Tobacco Sales to Minors, Part 1
Tuesday, December 30th, 2014 -- 12:27 PM
-Businesses in Clark County have seen a tremendous drop in the sale of tobacco to minors this past year due to, in part, the Wisconsin WINS Program.Laura Betthauser, with the Clark County Health Department, was in charge of the program this year. Laura took an underage volunteer to various businesses that sell tobacco around Clark County and had the minor see if the business would allow them to purchase tobacco. The results found that only 5% sold to the minor in 2014 compared to 24% in 2013.
Laura explained, "Did you know that tobacco sales to minors in Clark County dropped from 24% in 2013 to 5% in 2014? This is, in part, due to local retailers doing their part to check ID's during tobacco sales and the work of the Wisconsin WINS Program. The Wisconsin WINS Program is a statewide initiative that is working to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors. One way it does this is by providing free online training at smokecheck.org to retailers and their employees. Once trained, employees will know how not to sell tobacco to minors and can help retailers avoid license suspensions and fines. As we head into 2015, let's encourage this trend! Thank your local retailers for a job well done when you see them checking ID's during a tobacco sale. They are doing their part to keep children in Clark County healthy and tobacco free."
As Laura mentioned, she hopes Clark County residents will take the time to thank local retailers for helping reduce smoking among minors.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.