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paid for by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

The Scene:

Your local mom and pop grocery store. You're working the late shift.

As you look around the store, you see six customers. They all look normal enough. They're all coming to the counter empty-handed, so you figure they'll probably ask for tobacco.

The question is, will you sell?


Here comes customer #1

A girl in a blue shirt. She asks for a pack of Clover Lights.

Your choices: check her ID or hand over the goods.

If you chose to sell: "Gee, thanks!" she says, but your boss is not pleased. "How do you know they were old enough to buy tobacco? I should fire you for not checking ID," he says. "You and I could both get fined if they're a minor! You gotta be more careful!"

If you chose to check ID: Good for you. She shows an ID, and it's clearly her own. But it has a green border with "Under 18" around the picture. You say, "Sorry, your ID says you're under 18. I can't sell you Tobacco." She says, "Oh, then I'll just get some gum." See? No harm done. The boss says, "I always knew you were smart."


Here comes customer #2

They look old enough, if a little out of place, and ask for "A pack of Korral Lights, please."

Your choices: check ID, or hand over the goods.

If you chose to sell: You make the sale and ask if they need matches to go with their purchase. "No, thanks," they reply, and continue on their way. Your boss is not pleased. "How old was she?" he asks. "You should always check ID!"

If you chose to check ID: Good choice. They show an Idaho driver's license - must be from up north. But it has that green Under 18 border around the picture. You explain that the under 18 stamp means they're too young to buy Tobacco. Their reply: "Interesting. I've bought Tobacco before."


Here comes customer #3

A nice looking young man. He asks for a pack of Idaho Milds.

Your choices: check ID, or sell him those cigars.

If you chose to sell: "Thanks," he says. "I'll tell all of my friends to shop here!" Just so you know, you should be more careful. You just sold to a minor. You'll be fined $100 and your boss can also be fined. You must be more careful. Remember, a green border means under 18!

If you chose to check ID: Sure enough, he pulls out his license with the Under 18 green border. You say, "Sorry, this says you're under 18. I can't sell you tobacco." His reply: "Bogus, man." You feel a little bad, but your boss is happy. That's what pays the bills.


Here comes customer #4

A blonde woman in a black dress. She asks for Eagle Spirits.

Your choices: Check ID or sell the cigarettes.

If you chose to sell: "You're the best!" she says. It turns out she's 21, but your boss is not happy. "I should fire you for not checking ID," he says. "You gotta be more careful! Always check ID, unless you know for sure they're over 18!"

If you chose to check ID: New ID card but it's horizontal...she's 21! Your boss says, "Very good!"


Here comes customer #5

A man with a goatee. Seventeen-year-old guys can grow beards too, though. He asks for a box of Loose Leaf.

Your choices: Check ID or sell him the tobacco.

If you chose to sell: You make the sale, and ask if he needs papers to go with his purchase. "Nope, got to go!" he says, and runs out. Just so you know, you should be more careful. You just sold to a minor. You'll be fined $100 and your boss can also be fined. You must be more careful. The boss is very unhappy: "I should fire you for this. Next time, be more careful!"

If you chose to check ID: He shows you his Idaho license. See that green Under 18 border? Of course you do. "Sorry," you say. "I can't sell you tobacco if you're under 18." He says, all innocence, "Really? I thought the age was 16. Bummer." Well, it isn't. Your boss says, "Good work."


Here comes customer #6

The gentleman asks for Stadium chewing tobacco.

Your choices: Check ID or hand over the tin.

If you chose to sell: "Did you say Stadium Chew?" you ask, and make the sale. It turns out he was over 18, but your boss is not pleased. "I should fire you for not checking ID. You gotta be more careful! Always check ID, unless you know for sure they're over 18!"

If you chose to check ID: Can't be too careful. He shows an older-looking license with a red border that says "under 21." But don't worry! If he were under 18, it would have an "under 18" border. So go ahead and sell. If you don't see "under 18," it's OK. The customer thanks you and continues on his way.

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