MARINETTE, Wis. — This year the Northwoods Tobacco-Free Coalition (NWTFC) once again conducted tobacco compliance checks. Any store that has a tobacco license may be checked.

A total of 57 random checks were completed in Marinette County. This year, 12 stores sold tobacco to a minor. That makes our county’s illegal sales rate 21 percent. This rate is up from last year’s illegal sale rate of 12 percent.

Wisconsin Wins and Marinette County Public Health encourage all clerks selling tobacco to card anyone who looks to be under the age of 40. We also encourage stores to refuse the sale of a tobacco product without proper verification of age. Stores who sell tobacco products to minors not only risk the health of our youth, but also risk receiving fines.

If any store would like more information on how to properly train employees to read IDs please visit: www.witobaccocheck.org. This site offers a free, online training program. It also helps clerks identify quick and easy ways to properly read ID cards.

For additional information on the Wisconsin Wins program please contact Marinette County Public Health at 715-732-7670.