The Carrot

1
The Carrot The Stick

• Investigator John DEsposito
• Investigator Steve Waldo
• December 11, 2003
• National Tobacco Conference
• Boston, Mass.

2
Working With Retailers To Reduce Sales to Youth
Investigator John DEsposito Investigator
Steve Waldo December 11, 2003
3
Tobacco Use
Ever smoked
Source 2003 Vermont YRBS
4
Tobacco Use
Within last 30 days
Source 2003 Vermont YRBS
5
So, What Worked?

• Partnering
• Community coalitions
• Policy changes
• Enforcement
• Counter advertising

6
Inspections

• Routine spot checks
• Determine regulation and law compliance
• Answer questions
• Observe operations
• Detect small problems and provide corrective
  action before becoming big ones
• Vary the times and dates

7
Tobacco Cases
Civil Court (Ticket) Seller
Commissioner (Violation) Licensee
Both actions are happening at the same time.
Burden of Proof
Burden of Proof
Preponderance of the evidence
Preponderance of the evidence
8
Compliance Checks
9
Tobacco Non-compliance
1994 to 1998
10
Tobacco Non-compliance
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Weve Learned

• Have a policy/procedure for all aspects
• Be prepared for all kinds of behavior
• Dont let minor see this behavior
• Overeager staff members may go overboard

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Weve Learned

• Policies reviewed by prosecutor
• Predetermine penalties (civil/criminal)
• Publicize results trumpet successes
• Carrot and stick
• Carefully choose mystery shopper

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Responsible Seller - Cashier

• Do not sell to minor
• Properly ask for ID
• Exhibit good techniques

14
Positive Reinforcement Techniques

• Responsible retailer education
• Tobacco free pharmacy recognition
• Incentivized retailer training
• Poster media event

15
Responsible Retailer Recognition Programs

• Coalitions can recognize retailers which
  successfully and/or continuously pass compliance
  checks
• Media opportunity

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Zero, Nada, None

• The Zero, Nada, None! Program is a cooperative
  effort of VTSLP (Vermont Teen Leadership Safety
  Program)/SADD (Students Against Destructive
  Decisions), The Governors Highway Safety
  Program, Department of Liquor Control, and New
  Directions Coalitions.

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Tobacco Retailer Education

• There is no requirement for sellers of tobacco to
  have any training
• When offered training last year, almost no
  tobacco retailers who do not sell alcohol
  attended trainings in each county
• Incentivized trainings seem to be the only way to
  get them to attend

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Effectiveness of Seminars
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Alcohol Retailers Have to Be Trained

• Training includes tobacco laws
• Seminar attendees pass compliance checks for
  alcohol tobacco at higher rates than either
  persons trained in-house or who are untrained
• We can offer this training to more people through
  grants, and will have less tobacco sold to minors

20
Education Requirements

• New employees must be trained before working
• Training must be approved by DLC
• Training every 2 years for sellers
• 1 day suspension

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Record Keeping Responsibilities

• Licensee must keep written documentation of each
  training
• Signed by person trained
• 1 day suspension

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Advantages of Environmental Approaches

• Broader reach
• More substantial effects
• More enduring effects
• Ease of maintenance
• Cost effectiveness

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For Further Information

• John DEsposito, Investigator
• Vermont Department of Liquor Control
• P.O. Box 218
• Pittsford, Vt. 05763
• [phone]
• jade6384_at_aol.com
• Steve Waldo, Investigator
• Vermont Department of Liquor Control
• 6 Baltimore Road
• Baltimore , Vt. 05143
• [phone]
• steve_at_dlc.state.vt.us