Every youth deserves a healthy future. That’s why Wisconsin has a number of rules that restrict tobacco sales to minors. State Statute 134.66 prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 and requires that staff who engage in tobacco sales be properly trained. The Wisconsin Wins program offers a free online training program for tobacco retailers and their employees at SmokeCheck.org.
SmokeCheck.org offers free information on Wisconsin’s tobacco laws, checking identification, communicating with customers, and a host of other useful tools. Clerks simply read information on the tobacco laws, the sale, and the statewide partnership, take a short exam and upon passing, receive a state-approved training certificate. SmokeCheck.org benefits retailers by saving them time and money, avoiding fines, and offering them other resources from Wisconsin Wins. Best of all, getting employers and employees trained is free!
In Wisconsin, the 2001 the illegal sale rate of tobacco products to minors was over 33%. However, by 2012, the average non-compliance rate for the state of Wisconsin was only 5.4%. Illegal sales of tobacco products have been dramatically reduced thanks to the Wisconsin Wins program, but with the help of SmokeCheck.org, we can continue to work together to keep tobacco out of the reach of youth in our communities.
