Kroger Agrees to Curb Tobacco Sales to Minors
CINCINNATI - In a settlement agreement with the attorneys general of 41 states, The Kroger Co. here will help reduce the sale of tobacco to minors by changing the way it sells, promotes, and advertises cigarettes in more than 2,400 retail stores in 32 states and more than 750 convenience stores in 15 states.
Attorneys general across the country released statements about the settlement, disclosing that the chain will launch retailing practices to prevent sales to minors in its corporately-owned grocery stores and convenience stores. Kroger will also take steps to prevent minors from getting access to tobacco in its franchise c-stores, including requiring franchisees to report violations to the corporate office, and modifying agreements to provide that violations of youth access laws could constitute grounds for termination or non-renewal of the franchise contract.
The "Assurance of Voluntary Compliance" agreed to by Kroger is the 11th such agreement produced by a multi-state effort, the attorneys general said. Earlier agreements involved 7-Eleven, CVS, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite Aid Conoco, Exxon/Mobil, and BP, among others.
Attorneys general across the country released statements about the settlement, disclosing that the chain will launch retailing practices to prevent sales to minors in its corporately-owned grocery stores and convenience stores. Kroger will also take steps to prevent minors from getting access to tobacco in its franchise c-stores, including requiring franchisees to report violations to the corporate office, and modifying agreements to provide that violations of youth access laws could constitute grounds for termination or non-renewal of the franchise contract.
The "Assurance of Voluntary Compliance" agreed to by Kroger is the 11th such agreement produced by a multi-state effort, the attorneys general said. Earlier agreements involved 7-Eleven, CVS, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite Aid Conoco, Exxon/Mobil, and BP, among others.