The Carrot & The Stick

1. The Carrot & The Stick Investigator John D’Esposito & Investigator Steve Waldo December 11, 2003 National Tobacco Conference Boston, Mass.

2. Working With Retailers To Reduce Sales to Youth Investigator John D’Esposito & 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

11. We’ve Learned: • Have a policy/procedure for all aspects • Be prepared for all kinds of behavior • Don’t let minor see this behavior • Overeager staff members may go overboard

12. We’ve Learned: • Policies reviewed by prosecutor • Predetermine penalties (civil/criminal) • Publicize results – trumpet successes • Carrot and stick • Carefully choose mystery shopper

13. 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

16. 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 Governor’s Highway Safety Program, Department of Liquor Control, and New Directions Coalitions.

17. 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

18. Effectiveness of Seminars

19. 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

21. Record Keeping Responsibilities • Licensee must keep written documentation of each training • Signed by person trained • 1 day suspension

23. Advantages of Environmental Approaches • Broader reach • More substantial effects • More enduring effects • Ease of maintenance • Cost effectiveness

25. For Further Information • John D’Esposito, Investigator Vermont Department of Liquor Control P.O. Box 218 Pittsford, Vt. 05763 (802) 483-6384 jade6384@aol.com • Steve Waldo, Investigator Vermont Department of Liquor Control 6 Baltimore Road Baltimore , Vt. 05143 (802) 263-5355 steve@dlc.state.vt.us