38 Governors Support We Card Awareness Month

Awareness month put the spotlight on retail training and education to prevent tobacco sales to minors.

October 05, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va. – Thirty-eight U.S. governors proclaimed support for We Card Awareness Month throughout September by issuing proclamations, certificates of recognition and official letters of support.

The iconic “We Card” badge seen at sales counters and front windows of convenience stores and many other tobacco and vaping retailers is a product of the nonprofit We Card Program, now in its 22nd year.

“We Card focuses on training and education. It’s terrific to see 38 governors show support for We Card Awareness Month. It highlights retailers’ desire to do the right thing to prevent age-restricted products to minors,” said Lyle Beckwith, NACS senior vice president of government relations.

Many of the proclamations recognize state-level trade associations representing retailers and wholesalers, all that play a significant role both for We Card and the retailers they serve.

The 38 governors who issued proclamations, recognition certificates or letters of support include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

September was also the launch of the availability of 2018 We Card materials. Retailers, dedicated to preventing the sale of age-restricted products to minors, order and pay for their signage, training materials and online training courses. “Whether it’s We Card’s Age-of-Purchase Calendar, daily reminder age calculation tool, signs for the retail counter, or the hour-long online training course, retailers are making an investment to equip their employees with the tools needed to prevent illegal sales to minors,” said Doug Anderson, president of We Card.

The FDA has issued official guidance for Tobacco Retailer Training Programs. We Card’s e-learning training not only matches this federal curriculum but exceeds it with retail-focused emphasis on customer service, role-playing, and interactive gaming, earning an American Business Awards 2013 Bronze Stevie Award as a Best Training Site.

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