The Wichita Mountains Prevention Network - Lawton Area Prevention Resource Center, along with Jackson County Tobacco Education Committee and SWAT student volunteers, recently conducted 17 tobacco compliance checks, also known as “Reward and Reminder Visits” in Jackson County. Out of the 17 checks done, a total of 1 retail establishments attempted to sell tobacco to a minor.

Reward and Reminder Visits are designed to commend clerks and retailers who refuse to sell tobacco products to minors.

The research-based outreach program encourages retailers to comply with Oklahoma’s statutes making it illegal to sell any tobacco product to minors. 

During Reward and Reminder Visits teams of adults and underage youth visit retail establishments where youth attempt to purchase tobacco products.Clerks who do not sell will be rewarded for their actions. Those who would sell will receive a reminder that clerks who sell tobacco products to minors face a misdemeanor charge along with a $200.00 fine. The clerk is also reminded to ID youth before completing future sales.

All data is logged and the stores are revisited at a future date by a different team.

For more information about Reward and Reminder Visits, contact Brooke McCuiston at (580)-355-5246.