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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 (except for one… what IS that thing?). 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

Odd haircut, but she's cute. She asks for a pack of Clover Lights.

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

If you chose to sell: Please. There's no way she's 18. Check ID next time, OK? No sense getting in trouble with your boss.

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 see you this." 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

What is this? Purple face, huge lips… and are those antennae? What IS this thing? He (it?) asks for "A pack of Korral Lights, partner."

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

If you chose to sell: OK, he's weird, but you should still ask for ID. Aren't you a little curious to know where he's from?

If you chose to check ID: Good choice, brave one. He shows an Idaho driver's license - must be from WAY up north. But it has that green Under 18 border around the picture. You explain that in earth years, this means he's too young to buy tobacco. His reply: "Interesting. On my planet, we smoke from birth."


Here comes customer #3

Nice looking young man, but what's with those glasses? He asks for Idaho Milds - a fine cigar.

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

If you chose to sell: Come on. Do you really think a mature adult would smoke Idaho Milds? At least check ID next time.

If you chose to check ID: Sure enough, he pulls out his license with the Under 18 green border. You say, "Sorry dude, this says you're under 18. I can't sell you these." 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, and she's dressed like a nurse or something. She asks for Eagle Spirits.

Your choices: Check ID or sell the cigarettes.

If you chose to sell: Dressed like that, chances are she's over 18. But you should still check ID to make sure! You're off the hook -- this time.

If you chose to check ID: Good for you. If she's old enough, she'll be flattered, right? She pulls out an Idaho ID card. Don't see many of these, do you? All you need to know is, does it have the green Under 18 border? No? Then don't worry about it. She's old enough.


Here comes customer #5

A man in 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: Why did he give you a big wink and run out of the store? Looks like you should have checked ID. The boss is very unhappy: "Next time, you're fired!"

If you chose to check ID: He shows you his Idaho license. See that green Under 18 border? Of course you do. No sale, pal. He says, all innocence, "Really? I thought the age was 16." Well, it isn't. Your boss says, "Good work."


Here comes customer #6

A guy in a Yankees cap. He asks for Stadium chewing tobacco.

Your choices: Check ID or hand over the tin.

If you chose to sell: It's always risky not to check ID, but it turns out he really is 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.

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