Are more businesses following the law to card people who buy tobacco and vapes?

The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and the Department of Revenue and Taxation conducted random and unannounced retail compliance checks across the island.

The results show the compliance rate this year decreased to 94.8 % from 97% the year prior.

Officials report of the 324 retailers registered with Rev and Tax, 13 were found in violation of selling tobacco and electronic nicotine products to customers ages 16 to 20.

Behavioral Health Director Theresa Arriola says they’ve seen more of the island’s youth using vapes.

“What we need to do is to ensure that retailers those who have a license to sell nicotine whether it’s in cigarette or e-cigarette form know that there is a huge fine and the possible loss of their license. Now, this is a huge margin of profit for a lot of stores and so I am certain when the word gets out and if the word gets that there is a chance that they will lose their license is going to be concerning for them. So what needs to happen is stores need to do 100% ID check whether they look older,” She said.

The fines range from $1,000 to $10,000 dollars per violation. Officials say the 13 violators were cited and fined.