Finding the Best ID Scanner: Cigarette Shop Hardware Basics

What is the penalty for inadvertently selling tobacco products to minors? 

Depending on your state or locality, you might face hundreds of dollars in fines, misdemeanor charges, business sanctions, and closures. Your store needs strong age verification processes to avoid these penalties. 

Investing in a reliable ID scanner is essential for any cigarette shop. With the right ID scanner, cigarette shops can comply with age verification regulations and streamline checkout processes. 

However, with a wide range of scanners available, each with its own features and capabilities, it can be challenging to determine which is the right fit for your business.

This post walks through top options for ID scanners for cigarette stores. For each, we’ll discuss pros, cons, and pricing. 

Choosing an ID Scanner: Cigarette Shop Critical Features 

Age verification is critical to your cigarette shop’s operations. Selling tobacco products to underage individuals can result in hefty fines and even the loss of your license, so there’s no room for error. This is where an ID scanner comes in handy. But what exactly is an ID scanner, and why is it so important?

Related Read: How To Keep Track of Cigarette Inventory: 5 Foolproof Steps

When choosing an ID scanner for your smoke shop, there are several key features to look for:

• Accuracy: Your ID scanner should have a high accuracy rate in reading and verifying various types of government-issued identification cards, such as driver's licenses, state IDs, and passports.
• Speed: The scanner should quickly capture and process the information on the ID to minimize wait times.
• Ease of use: The scanner should be user-friendly, with a simple interface that allows employees to quickly and efficiently verify ages without much training.
• Flexibility: The scanner should be able to read IDs from all 50 states and potentially international IDs, as well as handle different ID formats (e.g., magnetic strips, barcodes, or smart chips).
• Fake ID detection: Advanced ID scanners can detect fake or altered IDs by checking for various security features, such as holograms, UV images, and microprinting.

Related Read: 10 Must-Have Tobacco Software Features

Investing in a high-quality ID scanner with these features can help your cigarette shop maintain compliance, prevent underage sales, and create a smoother, more efficient checkout experience. Let’s examine some of the top ID scanners on the market, giving you the information you need to pick the right solution for your store. 

1. TokenWorks 

TokenWorks is a well-established provider of ID scanners designed for age verification processes in stores like tobacco shops and liquor stores. Let’s examine some of the pros and cons of TokenWorks’ ID scanners and solutions.

Pros:

• International ID capabilities: TokenWorks scanners can read and verify IDs from all 50 U.S. states and some international IDs. This is particularly useful for smoke shops in tourist areas or near borders.
• Record-keeping features: Many TokenWorks scanners come with built-in features like automatic age calculation and record-keeping, which can help smoke shops stay compliant with local and state regulations.
• Variety of models: TokenWorks offers a range of scanner models with different features and price points, allowing smoke shops to choose the best option for their specific needs and budget.

Cons:

• Upfront cost: While TokenWorks offers a variety of scanner models, some of their more advanced options may come with a higher initial price tag compared to other providers in the market.
• Complex advanced features: Although TokenWorks scanners are generally user-friendly, some more advanced features, such as data management and reporting, may require additional training for staff to use effectively.
• Limited Integrations: Depending on the specific scanner model and the smoke shop's existing point of sale (POS) system, integration between the two may be limited or require additional setup, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Pricing:

TokenWorks offers a variety of models starting at $795.

2. KORONA POS 

KORONA POS is a point of sale provider that offers integrated ID scanning capabilities in its hardware packages, making it a suitable choice for various retail industries, including smoke shops. Let’s explore this solution more closely. 

Pros:

• All-in-one solution: By integrating ID scanning directly into the point of sale system, KORONA POS eliminates the need for separate hardware and software, simplifying the age verification process and reducing the risk of errors.
• Additional features: In addition to ID scanning, KORONA POS provides a range of other features that can benefit smoke shops, such as inventory tracking, sales reporting, and customer loyalty programs.
• User-friendly interface: KORONA POS is designed with user-friendliness in mind, offering an intuitive interface that staff members can easily navigate. The system also allows for customizable settings, enabling smoke shops to tailor the software to their needs.

Cons:

• Higher long-term cost: As an all-in-one solution, KORONA POS may come with a higher price tag compared to purchasing a standalone ID scanner. 
• Requires internet connection: Since KORONA POS is a cloud-based system, it requires a stable internet connection to function properly. This can be a drawback for smoke shops located in areas with limited or unreliable internet access.
• Complex features: While KORONA POS is generally user-friendly, some of its more advanced features, such as inventory management and reporting, may require additional training for staff to use effectively. This can result in a slightly longer onboarding process.

Pricing:

KORONA POS’s Core package starts at $59 per month. 

3. Intellicheck 

Intellicheck is a reputable provider of ID verification solutions, offering a range of scanners designed to quickly authenticate various forms of government-issued identification. These products are trusted by businesses across different industries, including smoke shops.

Pros:

• Broad, Multi-Industry Solution: Intellicheck provides a variety of scanner models and software solutions tailored to the specific needs of various industries.
• Fake ID Detection: Intellicheck's scanners utilize advanced technology to ensure high accuracy in reading and verifying IDs, reducing the risk of human error. Additionally, their solutions can detect fake or altered IDs, helping smoke shops maintain compliance and prevent underage sales, even in online sales.
• Supports POS Integration: Intellicheck's ID verification solutions can be integrated with several point of sale systems and software solutions, making it easier for smoke shops to incorporate age verification into their existing technology stack.

Cons:

• Higher Upfront Cost: Depending on the specific model and features, some of Intellicheck's ID scanning solutions may come with a higher initial price point compared to other options on the market, which could be a concern for smoke shops with limited budgets.
• Limited Portability in Some Models: Some of Intellicheck's scanner models may have a larger footprint and be less portable compared to other compact options on the market, which could be a consideration for smoke shops with limited counter space or those that require mobile ID verification.

Pricing:

Intellicheck’s pricing is available only through conversation with sales. 

4. POS Nation

POS Nation offers point of sale hardware and software to various retail industries, including smoke shops and convenience stores. Their offerings include ID scanners that can be integrated with their POS software. Let’s examine the details of POS Nation’s ID scanning tools.

Pros:

• Range of Solutions: POS Nation provides a variety of POS systems and hardware options, allowing smoke shops to choose the best fit for their specific requirements and budget.
• Seamless Integration with POS: By offering ID scanners that are designed to work seamlessly with their POS software, POS Nation ensures a smooth and efficient age verification process.
• Additional Features: In addition to ID scanning capabilities, POS Nation's systems offer essential features such as inventory management and employee tracking.
• Customer Support and Training: POS Nation offers customer support and training resources to help smoke shops make the most of their systems, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to handle age verification and other essential functions.

Cons:

• Complex Additional Features: While POS Nation's systems are designed to be user-friendly, some of the more advanced features, such as inventory management and reporting, may require additional training for staff to use effectively.
• Limited Hardware Options: Since POS Nation's ID scanners are designed to integrate with their proprietary POS software, compatibility with other hardware and software brands may be limited.

Pricing:

Get a custom quote using POS Nation’s online pricing tool.

5. Cigars POS  

Cigars POS specializes in providing point of sale systems and hardware designed for cigar shops and smoke shops. Our tailored approach to the industry sets us apart from more generic POS providers, making our solutions an attractive option for businesses in this niche.

Related Read: Smoke Shop Profit Margin: 5 Ways To Maximize Profits

Pros:

• Tailored to Cigarette Shops: Cigars POS has developed a system that caters specifically to the requirements of cigar and smoke shops, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities these businesses face.
• Additional Features: The system offers a range of features that are particularly relevant to tobacco retailers, such as the ability to manage inventory at the carton and pack level, implement customer loyalty programs, and generate reports based on tobacco scan data.
• Integrated Solution: Cigars POS provides an integrated ID scanning solution, ensuring that age verification is seamlessly incorporated into the sales process.
• Automatic Updates and Support: With Cigars POS, smoke shops benefit from automatic software updates, ensuring they always have access to the latest features and security enhancements. We also offer top-notch customer support and training. 

Cons:

• Limited Hardware Options: As a specialized provider, Cigars POS may offer a more limited range of POS hardware and scanner options compared to larger, more generalist providers. 

Pricing:

Get a custom quote using our transparent build and price tool. 

Finding the Best ID Scanner: Cigarette Shop Keys to Success

When choosing the best ID scanner for your cigarette shop, the five options listed in this post offer a range of features and functionalities that can benefit your business. Each solution has strengths and advantages, from high accuracy rates and fast scanning speeds to user-friendly interfaces and fake ID detection.

But which ID scanner is the best fit for your shop? The answer depends on your unique needs, preferences, and business goals. It's essential to consider factors like your budget, the size of your shop, your average transaction volume, and your long-term growth plans.

If you're an independent cigarette or tobacco shop owner looking for an ID scanner that seamlessly integrates with your point of sale system, Cigars POS might just be the perfect solution for you. Our all-in-one retail platform includes a reliable, high-performance ID scanner and offers advanced inventory management, customer loyalty programs, and flexible hardware packages to streamline your operations and boost your bottom line.

With Cigars POS, you can ensure compliance with age verification regulations, optimize your stock levels, reward your loyal customers, and gain valuable insights into your shop's performance — all from a user-friendly interface. Schedule a demo of Cigars POS today to see how our tool can help your cigarette shop with smooth, seamless age verification.