Carson City January 13, 2022
The Marlboro Man and Joe Camel may be considered passé, but there are plenty of new characters vying for attention. E-cigarettes and vaping devices, along with their e-juices, have taken center stage and are growing in popularity among Nevada youth.
These products specifically attract youth, and the State of Nevada Tobacco Control Program is asking partners in the retail industry to support the State’s efforts to keep these dangerous products out of the hands of those under age 21. In addition to parents and educators, retail stores play a crucial role in keeping tobacco-related products out of the hands of Nevada youth. The Tobacco Control Program at the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health has been working with retailers to educate and provide them with the resources and tools to become Responsible Tobacco Retailers in Nevada.
The free Nevada Responsible Tobacco Retailer Training and Certification Program is available for store owners or managers to find tools and resources to ensure proper training of tobacco retail management and staff.
“Nevada’s retailers are our partners, and we look forward to building this relationship and providing resources to keep youth safe from the harmful effects of tobacco,” said Nicole Dutra, Nevada Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator at the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. “Thank you to the retailers who are committed to this effort and training all employees to check IDs and ensure they are not selling to anyone younger than 21.”
Since 2014, e-cigarette use has grown, becoming the most used tobacco product among youth in the United States. In 2019, the CDC’s National Youth Tobacco Survey showed one in four Nevada high school students reported vaping in the past 30 days. The survey also demonstrated 24% of Nevada’s high school students are currently smoking e-cigarettes and/or vaping; that equates to 91,719 Nevada high school youth actively using these products.
“We know that managing a retail store can be challenging, but retailers play an important role in protecting children and teens by complying with Tobacco 21 laws and regulations,” said Dutra. “Increasing the minimum purchase age to 21 is a proven, effective strategy to minimize youth access to tobacco products but we need your help enforcing these laws. We hope these trainings and resources will be a valuable tool for retailers to ensure all employees comply with the law.”
Free information and resources can be found at ResponsibleTobaccoNV.com and retailers will find tools to ensure proper training of tobacco retail management and staff. Training modules are provided with content including federal and state laws, how to properly check IDs, how to deal with challenging customers, and more. The site also provides printable resources including store signage, new hire training materials, and Nevada tobacco use statistics.
Retailers in need of additional support can contact info@responsibletobacconv.com. Parents and educators looking for additional information on how best to speak with their children about e-cigarettes and vaping are encouraged to visit the Nevada Tobacco Control Program at https://dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/TPC/Tobacco_Prevention_and_Control_-_Home/
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About the State of Nevada Tobacco Control Program
The Tobacco Control Program at the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health has been working with retailers to educate and provide them with the resources and tools to become Responsible Tobacco Retailers in Nevada. This sales training program is designed to keep Nevada’s store owners and employees in compliance with Federal and State Tobacco 21 Laws, which prohibit the sale of all tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 years.