Abbott
AUSTIN-Shell Oil Products U.S. has signed an agreement with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott aimed at curbing underage smoking.
The agreement, which was signed by 47 state attorneys general, calls for Shell to adopt procedures to reduce cigarette sales to minors.
The company has agreed to offer training to its employees on tobacco access to minors and has agreed to spot checks to ensure settlement compliance.
"Today's agreement reflects our continuing efforts to protect young Texans by curbing tobacco sales to minors," Abbott said. "As attorney general, I am committed to a Texas that fosters healthy children. We will continue working with retailers, parents and others to improve future generations' health, safety and well-being."
Under the agreement, Shell also will pay $100,000 for the costs incurred by the states in investigation and negotiation.
Abbott and other attorneys general have secured 11 similar agreements with other major retailers, including Chevron, CVS Pharmacy, Conoco Phillips 7-Eleven, Kroger, Wal-Mart, BP Amoco, Walgreen Drug Stores and Exxon Mobil.
In addition to Abbott, attorneys general who have signed onto the Shell agreement are those representing Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.