Alcohol, Tobacco Compliance Slips As Checks Resume In Washington

OLYMPIA, WA — In the months since Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board resumed compliance checks, state officials have announced that more alcohol and tobacco vendors are failing to verify buyers are of age. The board resumed its random checks in May after pausing them for a year due to the pandemic. The LCB said its initial findings showed "mixed results" from its licensees, with the biggest dip among tobacco vendors. Pot shops, however, increased their compliance rates.

Age-verification checks show some industries lagging in compliance

• Tobacco sales
  • Overall compliance rates dropped from 90 percent in 2019 to 75 percent in June 2021.
• Alcohol sales
  • Overall compliance rates dipped from 85 percent in 2019 to 75 percent in June 2021.
• Cannabis sales
• Overall compliance rates improved from 95 percent in 2019 to 96 percent in June 2021.

While the results are just a snapshot since enforcement efforts resumed, the LCB said retailers should waste no time in correcting gaps to avoid potential fines or suspensions.

"As we begin to navigate these issues post-pandemic, these findings demonstrate the need to remind employees about age-verification responsibilities under Washington's laws governing age-restricted products," officials wrote this month. "Retailers, please note that repeated violations can be costly and jeopardize license status. Preventing youth access is a key public safety responsibility shared by both licensees and regulators."

As of 2020, the minimum legal age to purchase liquor, tobacco, vapor products and recreational marijuana in Washington is 21.