7-Eleven, AGs Reach Deal on Teen Tobacco Sales August 12, 2005
News Summary
Convenience-store chain 7-Eleven has agreed to tighten ID checks on tobacco buyers and take other steps to prevent sales to underage smokers, the Dallas Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Aug. 11.The agreement between the company and the attorneys general of 40 states and the District of Columbia calls for 7-Eleven to cease handouts of cigarette samples, take down tobacco ads on exterior store walls that are within 500 feet of schools or playgrounds, limit rolling paper sales to customers over age 18, and ask for ID from any cigarette buyers who appear younger than age 27.
7-Eleven also agreed to send "mystery shoppers" into stores to check on compliance by clerks.
The company is one of the biggest cigarette retailers in the U.S. The agreement is only binding on 1,881 corporate-owned stores, but 7-Eleven also pledged to urge its 3,461 franchised outlets to comply.
State AGs recently inked similar agreements with Wal-Mart, Walgreen, Exxon Mobil, and BP Amoco.
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: