Other LanguagesOLYMPIA -- A Thurston County judge has approved an agreement between the Attorney General's Office and Exxon Mobil Corporation that will help reduce the sale of tobacco products to minors at its gas stations and convenience stores, Attorney General Christine Gregoire announced.
Exxon Mobil, which operates more than 16,000 gas stations and convenience stores nationwide, signed the multi-state agreement implementing in-store procedures, employee training and other protections intended to curb the sale of tobacco to minors.
Gregoire noted that decades of research shows that if you prevent kids from even trying their first cigarette, they probably will never start smoking as adults.
The company has agreed to:
- Create standards for hiring, employment and training of its employees regarding the sale of tobacco products.
- Instruct its clerks to check identification of all customers who appear to be under the age of 27, and use its security video system to monitor compliance with this requirement.
- Prohibit self-service displays of tobacco products, the sale of cigarette papers or pipes to minors, and the distribution of free tobacco-product samples on store property.
- Use an outside firm to conduct random, anonymous performance checks, as well as internal monitors to ensure employees are following the standards.
Exxon Mobil voluntarily entered into the agreement after ongoing discussions between the Attorneys General of 43 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and the Mariana Islands on how best to address the problems of youth obtaining tobacco products at gas stations and convenience stores.