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New Vending Machines Require ID for Cigarettes
A tobacco company is trying to reinvent the fading cigarette vending machine with a model designed to prevent illegal purchases by those under 18. The machine works only when customers prove they are old enough by swiping a credit card and a valid identification with a magnetic strip. A virtual sales clerk on the machine's video screen tells kids they're too young.
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. is testing the machines in taverns, nightclubs and restaurants in Los Angeles and Cleveland. "It solves the age-old problem of access through the use of an age verification system," said Steve Rogers, manager of distribution and vending for the Louisville-based maker of Kool, Pall Mall and Lucky Strike cigarettes.
Many communities restricted or banned cigarette vending machines after anti-smoking advocates argued they give minors easy access to tobacco. There were about 700,000 cigarette machines in 1987, but their numbers have plummeted to about 166,000.
Anti-smoking advocates said the new machines still fall short of verifying that their customers are over 18. "There's a large potential for abuse by minors because they could fraudulently use someone over 18's ID," said Cindy Adams, an American Cancer Society spokeswoman.
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