Louisiana Attorney General Foti Announces Multi-State Agreement with Kroger Co. to Curb Tobacco Sales to Minors

October 30, 2007: BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr. today announced he has joined the Attorneys General of 41 other states and Guam in an agreement with Kroger Co. to help stop tobacco sales to youth.

Kroger, one of the nation’s largest retailers, has 2,468 supermarkets in 31 states under two dozen banners and 779 convenience stores in 15 states under 5 banners. All but 92 of the convenience stores are company-owned. There are several stores operating under the name of Kroger in Louisiana.

Foti said that this agreement provides that Kroger implement comprehensive youth prevention tobacco retailing practices in its company owned stores.
“Kroger now joins other major retailers who have pledged to do their part to ensure we reduce underage smoking,” said Attorney General Foti.

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. Launched in 2000, the multi-state enforcement effort by the Attorneys General seeks to secure national retailers’ agreement to take specific corrective actions to prevent sales of tobacco products to minors.

The agreements incorporate 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.

“We are pleased that Kroger has signed this agreement and thereby, has demonstrated its commitment to keeping children tobacco-free in Louisiana, as well as across the country,” said Attorney General Foti.

The Attorneys General have long recognized that youth access to tobacco products ranks among the most serious health problems. Studies show more than 80 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before the age of 18. Young people are particularly susceptible to the hazards of tobacco, often showing signs of addiction after smoking only a few cigarettes.

Foti said that the Attorneys General will continue to work with retailers to ensure that youth access laws are followed.

Source: Louisiana Attorney General