Published on July 3, 2008
The Minot Police Department found out new way of checking the local tobacco retailers if they sell tobacco to minors. It seems that on this semester it were achieved positive results.
According to introduced law, it is prohibited to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. Also, retailers are allowed to ask for ID’s and check it from everyone who looks younger than 27.
Minot police apply to process of tobacco checking every 3 to 4 months. This month all 24 of the businesses passed their compliance check.
Process is very simple. Officers send a trained juvenile in the store to buy cigarettes. So, they had a witness and undeniable proof if the certain trader sold cigarettes.
Sergeant Margie Zietz of the Minot Police Department said: “I know individual tobacco licenses are taking pride in training their people better and in about four of the places we stopped there was actual employees came out and followed the juvenile we had go in to see what vehicle they were in. They were going to report them to the police.”
Based on stabled regulation, the violation of law result fine and suspending of tobacco license. More detailed, selling tobacco to a minor carries a $150 bond for the clerk and the business issued the tobacco permit would face a penalty by the city. Also, the business could lose their tobacco license for up to one year depending on how many offenses they have had.
