Pennsylvania AG Announces Multi-State Agreement With Kroger Co. To Curb Tobacco Sales To Minors

Includes Turkey Hill Minit Markets

October 23, 2007 -- HARRISBURG - The nation's largest grocery chain, Kroger Co., today joined with the attorneys general of 41 states and Guam in an agreement to help reduce the sale of cigarettes and tobacco to minors.

Pennsylvania AG Corbett said that Kroger Co. will change the way it sells, promotes and advertises cigarettes in more than 2,400 retail stores in 31 states and more than 750 convenience stores in 15 states. The new policies will be carried out in all 240 Pennsylvania stores, which are operated under the name Turkey Hill Minit Market.

"Turkey Hill is a highly recognizable name in Pennsylvania and now joins other large retailers, who have pledged to do their part to ensure that we reduce underage smoking," Corbett said.

The "Assurance of Voluntary Compliance" (AVC) with Kroger is just one of a number of such agreements produced by an ongoing, multi-state enforcement effort. Previous agreements cover all 7-Eleven, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid stores, and all gas stations and convenience stores operating under the Conoco, Phillips 66, 76, Exxon, Mobil and Chevron brand names, in the signing states.

In total, the agreements cover thousands of retail outlets across the nation. Launched in 2000, the multi-state enforcement effort by the attorneys general focuses on retailers with poor records of selling tobacco products to minors. State laws prohibit such sales.

The enforcement program's goal is to secure the companies' agreement to take specific corrective actions. The agreements incorporate a number of policies and practices to reduce sales to minors as developed by the attorneys general in consultation with researchers and state and federal tobacco control officials.

Corbett said that today's agreement provides that Kroger implement comprehensive youth prevention tobacco retailing practices in its company owned stores.

Under the agreement, Kroger Co. will take the following steps to prevent youth access to tobacco at all of its retail stores:

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Provide annual notices of the importance of complying with youth access laws.
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Require franchisees to report violations to the corporate office.
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Modify franchise agreements to provide that violations of youth access laws could constitute grounds for termination or non-renewal of the franchise agreement.
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Require ID checks of persons purchasing tobacco products who appear to be of a specified age.
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Prohibit self-service displays of tobacco products, the use of vending machines to sell products, distribution of free samples, sale of cigarette look-alike products and the sale of smoking paraphernalia to minors.
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Hire an independent entity to conduct random compliance checks annually in the participating states.
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Limit tobacco signage to brand names, logos, other trademarks and pricing and ensure that all tobacco advertising inside the store is confined to the area where tobacco products are sold.
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Train employees on state and local laws and company policies regarding tobacco sales to minors.
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Minimize the use of anyone under age 18 for positions involving the sale of tobacco.
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Pay $325,000 to states for their investigation costs.

The attorneys general have long recognized that youth access to tobacco products ranks among the most serious public health problems. Studies show more than 80 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before the age of 18.

Research indicates that every day in the United States, more than 2,000 people under the age of 18 start smoking and that one-third of those persons ultimately will die from a tobacco-related disease. Young people are particularly susceptible to the hazards of tobacco, often showing signs of addiction after smoking only a few cigarettes.

"Every day we keep a child from smoking is a public health victory," Corbett said. "With this agreement, Kroger joins the growing list of retailers who have demonstrated their commitment to keeping our kids healthy in Pennsylvania and across the country."

Corbett said that the attorneys general will continue to work with retailers to ensure that youth access laws are followed.

Source: Pennsylvania Attorney General