NATO, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, announced that 7-Eleven Inc. has joined NATO as a retail member. 

Based in Dallas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and licenses more than 6,970 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

As one of the leading national retail trade associations that focuses exclusively on state and federal tobacco legislative issues, NATO’s membership is expanding to include tobacco stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores and service stations because the sale of tobacco products is critical to all of these different kinds of retailers.

Mary Szarmach, the Chairperson of NATO’s Membership Committee said, “7-Eleven’s membership in NATO demonstrates the importance of the tobacco category to the convenience store industry and reflects an on-going need for convenience stores to stay abreast of tobacco legislative issues around the country. 7-Eleven is the latest responsible retailer to join NATO to work with the association on state and federal tobacco legislation.”