Lake Region District Health Unit (LRDHU) and North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services have partnered with Kooners Vape Shop in Devils Lake, ND to provide a Forensic ID scanner which can detect fake IDs from underage individuals.
LRDHU was able to provide training of the ID scanner to the owner and staff “We are pleased with the relationship we are building with our establishments and their willingness to support our local effort toward a safer community” says Cindy Schmidt, Tobacco Treatment Specialist from LRDHU.
State laws require establishments that sell alcohol and tobacco products to check the age of a person by verifying the person’s identification. It is the business’s duty to ensure the ID presented is a valid one, and to ensure that it actually belongs to the person using it. If a retailer fails to properly inspect or verify an ID, it faces potential penalties from the state. These can include fines, license suspensions, and even license revocation.
The possession and use of a fake ID is classified as a misdemeanor. Fake IDs are confiscated and turned over to law enforcement for prosecution. Most fake ID crimes involve people under the age of 21 who try to use a fake ID to obtain alcohol or cigarettes. The possession or use of false identification is a crime by itself, and if you use the ID to do something illegal, you can face additional charges and penalties for the illegal activity. If you use the ID to buy alcohol or tobacco and you are under 21, you can also be charged with being a minor in possession in addition to the fake ID charge.
Locally, 42% of students in grades 9-12 have used an electronic vapor product with 10% of 12th graders using every day of the month. Additionally, 17% of 8th graders and 12% of 7th graders have used an electronic vapor product. 30% of our high school students have tried smoking cigarettes. Tobacco companies are spending 32.5 million dollars in marketing commercial tobacco just in ND.
If individuals desire help in quitting commercial tobacco, Lake Region District Health Unit has two Tobacco Treatment Specialists on staff to assist the public. For an appointment call 701-662-7407 or reach out to NDQuits at 1-800-784-8669 or 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
