Many adults who smoke cigarettes initially began smoking in their teens. To prevent new smokers from starting, New York State currently has tobacco control laws and regulations to reduce underage access to tobacco and vaping products, as well as the sale of flavored vapes. Specifically, the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA) was enacted to restrict access to tobacco and vaping products for individuals under age 21 by regulating sales. Violation of ATUPA results in civil penalties or tobacco retailer registration suspension or revocation.

To prevent underage sale of nicotine products and ensure retailers are not violating ATUPA guidelines, Putnam County is continuously hiring Tobacco Compliance Officers. Tobacco compliance officers remain anonymous and are paid at a rate of $17 per hour. The commitment is for only two evenings a month, for about 4 hours each time. This gives teens a flexible part time job with year-round opportunities. For more information please call (845) 808-1390, ask for Andrea ext. 43254 or Lesli ext. 43236 in the ATUPA Program. Take a look at some of the job requirements below.

Job Requirements:

• Must be 17- 20 years of age.
• Must be a non-smoker and non-vaper.
• Must be available approximately 2 evenings a month.

For more information on New York State Tobacco Control Laws and the harmful effects of smoking please visit https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/tobacco_control/current_policies.htm