Merchant Education/Retail Training

One of the purposes of education visits is to give establishment owners/managers new or updated information regarding regulations/laws. Just as important, it gives the opportunity for program staff to see what products are being sold in this establishment, and in this municipality, often introducing new products to you. If you are able, purchase any new products to share with your co-workers on the local and state level.

New product advisories, legal notices regarding hearings and draft regulations are the types of education that can be mailed or emailed to establishments to keep the chain of communication open. A word on snail mail, sending a document by first-class mail is considered “legally sufficient”. If you send certified mail a retailer could choose to not accept it so also send a copy by first-class mail.

MHOA conducts virtual group training for managers and owners. The training takes 1.5 hours, and attendees are provided with the power point and useful handouts. This training is free. To conduct a group training for your municipality or as a group of municipalities, contact smccolgan@mhoa.com.

MHOA hosts on-line training on their website, www.mhoa.com, for retail clerks. This takes approximately 20 minutes, is free and is anonymous. The training is available in both English and Spanish. It is recommended that you also visit the site and take the training to enhance your own knowledge of tobacco retail issues.