Specific Concern - Questions and Answers

Q. Does a retailer have to check I.D. of regular customers who are known to be at least 19 years of age every time they buy a product?
A. No, retailers must check a customer’s photo I.D. at least once to ensure that the customer is at least 19 years old.

Q. Do the police actually have to see me sell tobacco to a minor?
A. No, you can be cited even if the police officer does not witness the sale, but has to have sufficient evidence of the sale.

Q. Can a retailer sell to a child whose parent sends the child in the store to purchase these products for the parent?
A. No, the law prohibits retailers from selling to anyone under the age of 19. In, Utah, it is against the law for minors to have possession of tobacco at all.

Q. Are the police using decoys that are deceptive in order to issue more citations?
A. No, the efforts by the police are to help reduce the accessibility of tobacco to minors, not to trick you into a citation.

Q. Why is it required that customers under the age of 27 present a photo I.D.?
A. It is very difficult to judge the age of many teenagers and young adults simply from their appearance, partly because young people mature at different rates.