As a store owner or manager in San Diego County, you are ultimately responsible for making sure that all of your employees comply with the state and local laws regulating the sale of tobacco to minors. For an overview of these laws, please visit our section on Laws Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Tobacco to Minors.

Employee Training

All employees should receive training at the start of employment and on a periodic basis regarding the laws about tobacco sales to minors. Following are some suggested tools for organizing and presenting your tobacco training program:

• Retail tobacco training program components
• Laws Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Tobacco to Minors
• Tobacco Sales Checklist
• Tobacco Facts
• Tip sheet on “How To Check ID”
• Tip sheet on “How To Refuse a Sale”

Stop Tobacco Sales to Youth: California Retailers and Youth Tobacco Laws

Pursuant to Business & Professions Code, Section 22974.8, the California Department of Health Services requires that training be provided to licensed California tobacco retailers who have received a warning letter from the State Board of Equalization following a first conviction of state law which prohibits selling, giving or furnishing tobacco products to persons under the age of 18. Free training materials may be downloaded at: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/tobacco/html/publications.htm#STAKE

Sign Posting Requirements

California Business and Professions Code Section 22952 (STAKE Act) requires every store that sells tobacco post a boldly-printed, contrasting color sign in a conspicuous place at each point of purchase that contains the following words: “The Sale of Tobacco Products to Persons Under 18 Years of Age Is Prohibited by Law and Subject to Penalties. Valid Identification May Be Required. To Report an Unlawful Tobacco Sale Call 1-800-5ASK-4-ID. Business and Professions Code section 22952.”

The sign must be square (at least 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches) or rectangular (3.66 inches by 8.5 inches), and the required notice must meet specified font sizes.

To order free, STAKE Act signs that comply with state law, please complete and mail our Tobacco Retail Laws Order Form.

The We Card Program does not comply with state law! If you are currently relying upon We Card signs it does not meet state standards. Your business could be liable for fines and penalties per California Business and Professions Code Section 22952 (STAKE Act).

How Well is Your Business Doing?

Use our Tobacco Sales Checklist to see how well your business complies with the law and rules of responsible retailing regarding the sale and distribution of tobacco to minors.

For More Information

For more information about state and local tobacco control laws and how to bring your business into compliance, please contact the San Diego County Tobacco Control Resource Program Code Enforcement Officer at (619) 285-6581.