From: Dyllan Smith, Public Health Educator
Contact: Buffalo County Public Health, (608) 685-4412
Alma, WI – Buffalo County Public Health recently completed its WI Wins compliance checks for the year. During this round of checks, 94% of retailers in Buffalo County did not sell tobacco to minors.
The WI Wins program aims to prevent youth tobacco use by keeping tobacco out of the hands of kids. The program achieves this through a combination of compliance checks, where trained youth attempt to purchase tobacco under supervision, and retailer education to ensure employees understand federal Tobacco 21 laws and proper ID verification practices. According to the CDC, nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first tried smoking by age 18, highlighting the importance of preventing underage tobacco sales.
“We are happy to see so many Buffalo County retailers protecting our kids from tobacco,’ said Dyllan Smith, Public Health Educator. “Every responsible retailer helps our community stay healthier.”
Retailers who have sold to minors can receive free, state-approved training through WITobaccoCheck.org to improve compliance and avoid potential fines. The training includes study guides, a short quiz, and a certificate of completion that employers can keep on file.
The Buffalo County Public Health Department thanks all retailers who followed the law and helped protect youth from tobacco exposure. By ensuring that minors cannot purchase tobacco, these retailers are contributing to healthier futures for Buffalo County kids.
To learn more about WI Wins, visit www.wiwins.org. Retailers interested in free training can visit www.witobaccocheck.org.