uk bat.com - Working with retailers

We work with retailer around the world to tackle under-age smoking
We work with retailer around the world to tackle under-age smoking

Shops are a front-line in the battle against under age smoking.  Retailers are usually part of the solution, not the problem.

Retail access prevention programmes aim to block sales to the under age at the point of sale.  They typically represent the vast majority of the programmes that our companies run or support.

These programmes include proof-of-age schemes, briefing materials and training for retailers about local laws on tobacco sales and how they can block sales to the under age. 

Tools include posters, badges for retail staff, point-of-sale materials showing that under age sales are illegal, booklets explaining the law and training videos for retail staff showing how to refuse sales to children.

The programmes are most effective when they are supported by robust legal frameworks, including proper enforcement and penalties.

In some countries programmes are also directed at parents, to discourage them from asking their under age children to buy tobacco products for them.

Here are some examples of working with retailers:

Canada

Our company Imperial Tobacco Canada has made a significant financial commitment to the national Operation I.D. programme since 1996. 

The programme was developed by the Canadian Convenience Store Association and was designed to help train retail staff to uphold under age smoking laws.  It engaged retailers as part of the solution, not part of the problem.  The programme was linked to Operation I.D. School Zone which provided special display materials and training support to retailers within 1 kilometre of schools.

Operation I.D. was replaced with the We Expect I.D. programme which is now available in Western Canada, Ontario and Quebec.  We Expect I.D. was launched in 2007 after several years of testing and development with Ontario Lottery and Gaming.  Imperial Tobacco Canada’s financial support for this programme continues.

For more information please visit the We Expect I.D. website Opens in new window.

UK

We help to fund CitizenCard™, the national UK proof-of-age scheme for young people, and the ‘No ID No Sale!’ retailer campaign, through the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association.

CitizenCard™ is the UK’s leading proof-of-age scheme with more than 1.8 million cardholders, and owes much of its growth to a large British American Tobacco donation which enabled it to provide cards free of charge to under-18s for several years. Take up continues to increase, stimulated by support from the Government, police, local authorities and charities. 

CitizenCard™ can be used to verify customers’ age for the sale of tobacco, alcohol, lottery tickets, solvents, DVDs and other age-restricted products. Find out more at the CitizenCard™ website Opens in new window.

The UK’s ‘No ID No Sale!’ campaign was launched in 2004 and educates retailers and consumers about age-restricted products, and provides staff training advice, display notices, CitizenCard™ application forms and a refusals register for retailers.

The ‘No ID No Sale!’ campaign is operated by CitizenCard™ but promotes any Government approved Proof of Age / ID schemes. Over 120,000 UK retailers support the campaign nationwide. Visit the No ID No Sale! website Opens in new window.