Tobacco Sales Enforcement Nets One Violator

Police said that on August 10, they took part in a series of unannounced tobacco sales compliance inspections at 18 local business, in which a clerk at one of those businesses illegally sold tobacco to a person under age 18.

The clerk at the Shell gas station at 286 South Main Street (Route 25) illegally sold tobacco to an underage youth working undercover for the tobacco prevention and enforcement program of the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, police said.

That infraction carries a $200 fine. Also, the holder of the cigarette dealer license at the gas station will be referred to the state Department of Revenue Services for additional sanctions, according to police.

Police said they conduct such investigations to learn whether local businesses that sell tobacco are complying with state law that prohibits tobacco sales to people under age 18.

Police listed the 17 other businesses they visited on August 10 that complied with the law and did not sell tobacco to the underage undercover agent.

Those businesses are: Hawleyville Deli, 26 Hawleyville Road; Hilario’s Garage, 131 Mt Pleasant Road; Taunton Wine & Liquor, 147 Mt Pleasant Road; Citgo gas station, 47 Church Hill Road; Mobil gas station, 62 Church Hill Road; Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, 102 Church Hill Road; Yankee Discount Wine & Liquor, 6 Queen Street; Big Y supermarket, 6 Queen Street; CVS Pharmacy, 6 Queen Street: Dodgingtown Market, 57 Dodgingtown Road; Dodgingtown Liquor, 57 Dodgingtown Road; Sugar Hill Garage, 153 Sugar Street; Walgreens, 49 South Main Street; Buttheads Tobacco Emporium, 71 South Main Street; Citgo gas station, 151 South Main Street; Stop & Shop supermarket, 228 South Main Street, and Stop & Save Liquors, 228 South Main Street.