In 1999, at the request of PFMA/PCSC members, Pennsylvania's Attorney General, Secretary of Health, Physician General, as well as representatives of regulatory and law enforcement agencies, tobacco-use prevention coalitions and retail companies held a series of meetings to discuss ways to improve compliance with tobacco sale laws.

The result of the group's work was the creation of the Responsible Tobacco Sale Certification Program (RTSCP), which was incorporated in January 2000. A Board of Advisors oversees the RTSCP and includes as its members many of the people who developed the program. The goal of the RTSCP is to reduce the use of tobacco by minors by preventing the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18 years of age. Retailers want to assure consumers and government officials that they are dedicated to enforcing tobacco product sale regulations. Retailers, in support of these laws and out of concern for the health of youth, recognize the need to take all necessary steps to improve compliance.

The RTSCP establishes guidelines for stores to follow aimed at preventing illegal tobacco sales and improving compliance with tobacco sale regulations. Program standards require stores to follow appropriate tobacco sale policies, display signage that announces that they do not sell tobacco to minors, and have a specific training program for employees concerning tobacco sale policies and laws.

The program consists of two phases. In phase one, participating companies receive the RTSCP operations manual, which details program requirements and procedures. Store personnel will then conduct a self-study of their current practices to gauge their performance against program guidelines. If, following the self-study, companies find that they need to improve performance, they will develop specific action plans. After implementing any action plans, companies will announce their readiness for phase two. In phase two, an inspector from the RTSCP will conduct unannounced on-site inspections to measure compliance with program requirements. Secret shoppers, youth between the ages of 15 and 17, are used to test compliance.

Stores meeting all program requirements will receive a certificate and decals that will publicly announce that they have reached high standards in the administration of the program.

Any retail company that sells tobacco is eligible to participate in RTSCP. Stores will be charged an initial enrollment fee and separate on-site inspection fees for tests performed.

For more information, contact:
, Manager
Responsible Tobacco Sale Certification Program
P.O. Box 870
Camp Hill, PA 17001-0870
800.543.8207