Markleeville, CA…Alpine County’s two tobacco retailers, the Markleeville General Store and Lake Alpine Lodge passed a tobacco spot check by refusing to sell to someone under the age of 21. On July 12th and July 17th, The Alpine County Tobacco Control Program conducted its annual local survey of tobacco retailers and their compliance with the Califonia Tobacco 21 law. This law is meant to prevent people younger than 21 from accessing tobacco and vaping products in retail environments.

The survey involves having a trained young adult investigator attempt to purchase a tobacco product at each retail location in Alpine County while under the supervision of one adult chaperone. The retailers are also checked for the required signs, including the 1-800-5 ASK-4-ID sign posted behind the counter.

Besides displaying the proper signage, all California tobacco retailers must train their employees to ask for identification for any person who appears under the age of 27 and refuses to sell to anyone under the age of 21. The clerks at each location asked for identification and refused to sell to the young adult investigator.

As of 2022, The Centers for Disease Control reported about 1 of every 7 high school students reported using an electronic cigarette in the past 30 days.