by Gina DeMent, Public Information Officer
Five County Mental Health Authority
Clerks in our counties are becoming more skilled in recognizing someone who may be underage attempting to purchase alcohol and tobacco products.
The “Red Flag Check Before You Sell” campaign has helped many clerks do a better job at reducing these sales to minors.
It is hard to believe that it has been twelve years since the General Assembly of North Carolina revised the law concerning the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of eighteen in an attempt to reduce the number of minors purchasing tobacco products. North Carolina has continued to do well in this effort, and we are seeing a reduction in the number of minors attempting to purchase from stores.
The North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, Alcohol Law Enforcement Division has partnered with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to develop materials that make it easier to educate the public about the laws and also assist clerks in checking ID’s with the Driver’s License and Identification card that aims to stop the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products by underage persons.
Minors under the age of eighteen have a RED border around their picture, a RED stripe along the bottom, and RED NCDMV logo. The phrase “UNDER 18” also appears on the license. North Carolina also has a new vertical license for those under the age of 21 which makes identification much easier. Both vertical and horizontal formats are acceptable forms of ID.
State law makes it illegal for minors to buy tobacco products, attempt to buy or to receive tobacco products, or use false or misleading proof of age ID to buy alcohol or tobacco. If convicted, the minor is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor, a criminal charge punishable with up to 30 days of community service and up to a $1,000 fine.
If you are a sales clerk in any store where tobacco products are sold, please remember that it is illegal to sell or distribute any tobacco product to anyone under the age of eighteen. If you are convicted of the sale or distribution of tobacco to a minor, you will also be guilty of a Class 2 Misdemeanor.
Retailers are required to train their employees regarding the law (NCGS 14-313). If you would like further information on the North Carolina laws, training for staff or training materials, brochures, posters, decals or employee guides, please call Alcohol Law Enforcement at 877.ALE.AGENT. Anne Williams, Prevention Specialist or Gina DeMent, PR with the Five County Mental Health Authority are available to bring a packet of information to your establishment in Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Halifax counties. Either can be reached by calling 252.430.1330 or through the Toll-Free Helpline number 1.877.619.3761.