U.S. - Tops Markets will proof all purchasing alcohol and tobacco products..

October 30, 2008 - Tops Friendly Markets announced Tuesday, 10/29/2008 it will proof every customer purchasing alcohol and tobacco products, regardless of age. The new policy dubbed “We Proof Everyone,” is an attempt to prevent sales of the forbidden merchandise to minors. It replaces the company’s former policy requiring identification from anyone appearing younger than 30 years old.

The no-exceptions policy takes effect Sunday, 11/2/2008 in all 76 Tops stores (mainly in New York State, some in Pennsylvania) and comes after successful trials at two Ithaca, NY locations chosen for their high population of college students — a group more likely to attempt an underage purchase.

One of Tops Friendly Markets competitors Wegmans, Rochester, NY, based Supermarket Chain Will NO Longer Sell Tobacco Products Starting February 10, 2008. Thank God for Danny Wegman...

Reference: Tops to proof all for beer, tobacco - even grandmas by Samantha Maziarz Christmann, The Buffalo News, 10/30/2008.