So, found a basket 'o' smokes in the bargain bin @ Kroger (Rant: mild and menthol-y)

The BBQ Pit
1

Yup, you read right. My wife and I were at the local Kroger (or “K-Rog” as I call it) and were perusing the post-Christmas bargain bins. In one bin at the end was a large wicker basket without a tag. I meandered down, picked up the basket, and immediately noticed single packs of Virginia Slims, Kool, Newport Lights, etc. all marked at “Managers Special” for $1.99. Right out in the open. Must have been two or three dozen single packs.

I looked at my wife, looked back at the basket, looked at my wife, and she looked at me, “What?”

I did yet another double-take, thinking they were candy cigarettes or something, but nope–clear as day on the bottom was a Georgia tax stamp for tobacco. So I show my wife, and thinking it was a really dumb mistake, we decide to take it to an employee. A young man comes walking by, “Um excuse me, but these smokes were out in the open, in this basket. Would you take them back and lock 'em up wherever they’re supposed to be?” The instant aura of stupidity sank down from the heavens, “No, they’re on clearance, they’re supposed to be in the bin.” To which I respond, “Um, dude, they’re cigarrettes. Next to the Snickers. They ought not to be out where you can’t at least keep an eye on 'em.” “No, they’re supposed to be there.” :smack:

So, not getting anywhere with the late teen, we head over to to the service desk. The one lady that first saw us asked us, “Can I help you?”
Us: “Yes ma’am, we found these cigarettes over in the bargain bin. Aren’t they supposed to be locked up or at least away from kids and the candy bin?” :dubious:
Her: “No, they look like they’re on clearance. They were supposed to be there.”
Us: “Um, I don’t think you understand. They were out in the open, in the ten-for-a-dollar bins, next to the Snickers and Peeps. These are supposed to be watched somehow.”
Her (not really getting it): “I can let you talk to the manager if you want. . .”
Us: “Yes, please.”

She calls the store manager, who after a minute comes over. “Can I help you?”
Us: “Yes ma’am, we found your smokes in the bargain bin. Next to the Snickers.”
Manager: “Yeah, they’re on clearance.” [sub]Obviously the gears are turning, but the teeth aren’t engaging.[/sub]
Us: "Um, no, isn’t that against the law? Aren’t you worried about kids grabbing them?
Mgr: “No, it says ‘check ID’ on the scanner. Besides, the self-checkout lane cashier was supposed to be watching them. . .” [sub]Gears engaging, axles starting to break free and rotate. . .[/sub]
Us: “Yeah, they were in the bargain bin, without anyone watching. You’re kind of opening yourself up to a lawsuit at best. These are supposed to be like, in a case, or under glass, out of casual reach. . .”
Mgr: “Oh, you’re right. I will take them, thank you.” [sub]Axles at full rotation. We’ve got motion![/sub]

So, I’m kinda concerned some dumbass put a basket full ‘o’ cigarettes in the bargain bin. I’m more concerned at the nonchalant attitude of the employees. But hey, what the hell!

So come on down to the K-Rog in Georgia for free smokes an’ beers! Woooo hoooo! Hell, you kin’ even git some guns ‘n’ stuff over in the housewares depart-a-mint. :rolleyes:

Tripler
I just wonder how many teens got out of the store with smokes before we f*cked up their plans.

2

Are you sure stores keep cigarettes locked up because of a law?

I always thought it was to prevent them from being stolen.

3

In most states, yes. Generally, cigarettes and tobacco products have to locked in a display case, behind the sales counter or otherwise in a store area inaccessible to the general public. It might not be required in all states, but I’m not aware of any such.

4

I know they’re not out in the open in Washington state. Frankly, I find it to a real pain in the ass, but that’s not what this rant is about, so ignore me.

5

I wouldn’t mind seeing a cite for that, but don’t bother if you don’t feel like it because it’s beside the point. I’m guessing that Georgia law would be most relevant.

I’m sure teenagers could pick up beer and wine in the store but wouldn’t be able to get it out of the store without shoplifting. I don’t really see why this is any worse.

6

Were it 1994, I would totally be there loading the pockets of my Charlotte Hornets Starter jacket.

As it is 2009, I will be wearing my New Orleans Hornets Starter jacket.

See you suckers at K-Rog!

7

Here’s what I found…

“To amend Article 1 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general offenses
against public health and morals, so as to provide that a
person owning or operating a business in which cigarettes or
other tobacco products are sold at retail shall display
cigarettes or other tobacco products only within plain view
of the cashier or another employee…”

And further down…

"(a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘within plain
view’ means subject to direct visual observation or
surveillance by means of a video camera, mirror, or other
equipment. "

So, no, it doesn’t look like the store was in violation, IMHO.

I’m not so outraged by this. Having cigarettes available to steal will not encourage smoking. As a smoker, who started in my teens, I can say that I started smoking for several reasons:

  • My parents both smoked
  • My (older) friends smoked
  • Smoking was a way to make me look cool
  • Smoking was a way to make me look tough

Now, of course, those reasons make me look like a moron, but when you’re fourteen, they are pretty powerful. The only cigarettes I ever stole were from my mom - I would never have stolen cigarettes from a store, because I didn’t want to get arrested.

A teenager who is a thief is much worse than a teenager who is smoking. Smoking can be stopped, but stealing is an indication of a bigger problem(s).

8

Well, it looks like I’ll have to retract the “most” part of my post:

And Georgia isn’t on that list.

9

You won’t find a cite for that assertion because it’s incorrect.

State tobacco sales laws - including restrictions on the placement of tobacco products for sale - can be checked at the American Lung Association’s Smoking Policy Info database.

Checking there, I found that fewer than half the states have laws regulating placement of tobacco products. That Kroger in Georgia was breaking no law.

ETA: I see that **QED **has already corrected his post, using info from a different site than the one I found. Good job.

10

Do you see it? Look closely. I’ve bolded for you…

11

I may have misspoke earlier, and y’all may be more closer to the point at loss prevention, but still. I think it’s damned odd for a basket of cigarettes to be left unattended next to candy. Granted, teenagers could be trying to sneak beer and wine out, but it’s a hell of a lot easier to palm a pack of smokes than it is to shove a Cabernet Sauvignon down one’s pants [sub]unless it’s them baggy pants kids are wearing nowadays. I hear they’ve got lots of room in 'em[/sub]

Added on preview, but before I click “Post”: Wow, thanks Uvula Donor and Q.E.D.. I’ve lived around most of those states before, and while I’ve never smoked, I assumed it was a uniform practice–everyone else I know has had to ask for cigarettes. I was wrong.

So, I probably overreacted a little bit. But I’m still uncomfortable with packs laid out so openly in a friggin’ clearance bin by the candy. Don’t know why it’s unsettling–it just is.

Tripler
The South–a very strange place indeed.

12

This thread makes me want to go buy a whole basket o’ smokes and hand the packs out to random kids in the parking lot.

Oh wait, I’m not thinking about the children.

13

No, save 'em for Halloween!

14

20 to 1 the Manager dumped em right back inna bargan bin 5 minutes after you left.

Dumb prick.

15

To whom is this addressed to? Me, or the manager?

Tomorrow, on our way out of town for the day, we’ll pick up our usual Sunday paper, and casually see if it’s back in the bin.

Tripler
Although I agree with your odds.

16

I get it, but I think you’re missing my larger point.

The act of smoking, and the reasons for the same, are different from the attitude that says it’s okay to steal.

First, I was saying that the acceptance of smoking when I was growing up contributed to my acceptance of smoking. It had nothing to do with the *availability *of cigarettes. I rarely took them from my mother - we got most of our smokes from an older kid.

Second, stealing a cigarette from my mother was like borrowing a sweater without asking - no big deal. Stealing from a store (or any other outsider, I suppose) would be beyond the pale.

Some people may consider smoking to be as bad as stealing, but for me, stealing was bad and immoral, even to my jaded 14-year old self, and smoking was not.

As a smoker, and as someone who hates the addiction, I say that having cigarettes available to be stolen at a store is no big deal. I don’t think that would hook a new generation of kids. Kids are not stupid, and any kid who would consider smoking would certainly be aware of the difference between cigarettes and candy.

The thing that seems to be working is teaching kids that smokers are stupid, and it’s a low class habit. I hate to say it, but social pressure and scorn are fabulous tools to control behavior.

17

Not that we’re all rednecks in Georgia. But we do have a lot of Bubbas. The Governor is named Sonny.

18

Dude.

You really have nothing else to have your panties in a twist about?

19

Don’t you?

20

Guess not…