Free training course available to retailers after 90% increase in nicotine sales to minors in Missouri

MISSOURI (KBSI) – For the first time ever in Missouri a free online course is being offered on tobacco prevention and sales.  

The course is encouraged for retailers and their employees, but anyone is able to watch and learn about the rules and regulations of underage vape and tobacco sales.

This course comes after a 90% increase in nicotine sales to young adults since 2019. According to Missouri Partners and Prevention college students in Missouri say they started using tobacco products between the ages of 13 and 15, and nearly 1 in 3 Missouri high school students say they’ve bought tobacco products from a store.

This could be in part do to the glamourization of vaping that appeals to younger adults and children. With options like bubblegum flavors and bright colored devices kids are finding it more interesting to try. 

Brittany Carpenter is the Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for Missouri Partners and Prevention; she shares more details on the new online course. 

 “The program was really designed to educate retailers around their responsibilities and duties really looking at federal, state, and local laws and really adding additional tools and helping folks to understand their roles as being a responsible retailer in a retailer setting which is the ultimate goal at protecting youth. This training allows retailers to access training on the website to understand more about what that looks like, how to identify ya know maybe what a fake ID looks like. Different tools to guide them to make sure that they are in fact responsibly selling these products.”

 The course hopes to help combat tobacco use in youth through illegal sales prevention.

If you’re interested in learning more about the online course or taking it, you can go to Showmetobacco.education.