Learning Objectives: Identify important issues regarding EAV technology and its potential to reduce youth access to tobacco from commercial sources.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective:
Electronic age verification (EAV) technology is promoted as a means of ensuring compliance with age-of-sale laws. However, this claim has not yet been substantiated. EAV devices, or scanners, verify the age of customers purchasing restricted items by reading data encoded on the back of driver’s licenses. Only one study (Krevor, 2001) has examined EAV effectiveness at reducing tobacco sales to youth. This new study investigates how often clerks use EAVs to verify the age of young tobacco purchasers and whether scanners deter youth from attempting tobacco purchases.
METHODS:
To test EAV-use frequency we conducted a series of tobacco purchase attempts at all EAV-equipped Twin Cities metro area gas station/convenience stores (n=60). 17-year-old girls conducted three purchase attempts at each location, asking for cigarettes and providing a valid driver’s license if asked. To determine if scanners change tobacco purchasing behaviors we conducted three standard focus group interviews with youth age 15-17.
RESULTS:
We will review EAV technology, our methods and results, including: 1) purchase attempt success rates, 2) overall frequency of EAV use, 3) EAV use in chain versus independent stores, and, 4) EAV signage/equipment influence on youths’ tobacco purchasing behaviors.
Discussion: We will provide timely information for prevention community responses to: 1) retailers citing EAV use as an affirmative defense in legal actions, 2) policies permitting EAV use to diminish retailer liability for illegal sales, and 3) policies advocating installation of EAVs to reduce underage sales.
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