Responsible Retail

Responsible
Retail

Our Commitment to Retail Safeguards 



At PMI U.S., we know that a critical juncture in preventing underage access to nicotine products is at the point of sale. That’s why we work closely with retailers, regulators, and partner organizations to promote responsible retail practices.

 

Our retail partners are on the front lines—and we’re proud to support them every step of the way, including with in-store signage and other youth access prevention resources.

Chief Underage Prevention Officer, PMI U.S.

J.B. Simko

We recognize that the potential to help millions of adults move away from cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products—and improve public health—hinges on our ability to keep smoke-free products out of the hands of anyone under 21.

To better support our field team and retail partners, we launched the 21+U commercial training and advocacy program. This program emphasizes the critical role retail associates play through age verification at the point of sale and gives our field team and retail partners confidence to manage youth access prevention effectively.

PMI U.S. serves on the Advisory Council of the national nonprofit organization We Card, which champions comprehensive training for retail employees in addition to providing in-store signage and point-of-sale materials. It’s all part of the effort to communicate the minimum age of 21 for purchasing nicotine products in the U.S. and the importance of complying with requirements for ID checks at retail.

PMI U.S. is a founding board member and investor in TruAge®. This technology provides stores with a more accurate approach to age verification, including the ability to detect fake IDs and better ensure that access is limited to those 21+. TruAge® is provided free to point-of-sale (POS) companies and retailers.

Additional information:

We Card: Resources for retailers
 

We Card, We Care: Informing adults about the problem of social sourcing—be comfortable saying NO when someone under 21 asks you to buy or give them tobacco or vaping products
 

We Card, We Care: Social sourcing resources for retailers
 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Tobacco 21
 

TruAge®: A secure digital solution for ID checks