California Grocers Association advocates retailer education to combat sales to minors; grocers strongly oppose any advertising and display bans.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1995--The president of the California Grocers Association and the California Association of Neighborhood Stores said Wednesday that preventing the sale of tobacco products to minors is of major importance to grocers throughout the state, however the association is strongly opposed to any advertising and display restrictions such as those discussed by "Operation Storefront" in California and Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) in Washington D.C.

"We have over 8,000 members who have long recognized the seriousness of the problem of keeping kids away from cigarettes and we remain committed to addressing this critical issue through education of all retailers and our insistence that they abide by the law governing sales to minors," said Don Beaver, president of the California Grocers Association (CGA) and California Association of Neighborhood Stores (CANS).

According to Beaver, CGA/CANS believes that retailers should retain the authority to determine how they choose to advertise and display legal products.

"Advertising and in-store displays of tobacco products are an important form of communication between grocers and their adult customers," said Beaver. "Most small packaged goods and consumer items are placed in the store operator's line of sight to help prevent shoplifting. In fact, placing cigarette racks and promotional displays near the cash register and within the supervision of a store clerk helps deter minors' attempts to purchase tobacco products."

Beaver said CGA/CANS has partnered with the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) to sponsor seminars on responsible tobacco retailing. He noted that these programs "have successfully educated store managers and clerks on their responsibilities under the law and provided them with tools to help prevent the sale of such products to minors."

"We understand that retailers need assistance in educating their workers and customers that the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18 in California is illegal and will not be tolerated, however our right to advertise and display a legal product should not be abused because some people disagree with the products we sell," said Beaver.

CGA/CANS believes that continued education of retailers and clerks about the requirements of California state law and the importance of not selling tobacco products to minors is the key to resolving this problem. According to Beaver, CGA/CANS wants retailers to fully appreciate that compliance with minimum age sales laws is not only the legal thing to do, but also the right thing to do.

"We have too much at stake and recognize that we have an obligation to work with the community to uphold the law. We welcome the community's support to address the problem, including the involvement of concerned groups and parents, and to help us responsibly manage the issue," said Beaver.

Information kits on the seminars and existing educational efforts regarding the illegal sale of tobacco to minors are available from the California Grocers Association.

The California Grocers Association, with headquarters in Sacramento, has been representing retail grocers since 1898. With more than 8,000 members, CGA/CANS represents both large and small grocers throughout the state of California.

CONTACT: California Grocers Association, Sacramento

Don Beaver, 916/448-3545

or

Cal-Pac, Oakland, Calif.

Jim Williams, 510/430-1989

or

Bonfare Markets Inc., Danville, Calif.

Don Kaplan, 510/736-7979

or

The Southland Corp., Brea, Calif.

Joan Wilson, 714/529-7711