In USA two businesses fined for selling tobacco to minors

Two businesses were fined for selling tobacco to minors after the tobacco compliance check that took place last week.

The city used to practice this kind of checks annually and without announcement. This offers the opportunity to control the real statistics how the businesses respect the city ordinances. Even so, from 20 businesses only two have failed the check: the Rainbow Foods and Savage Super

According to Savage Code Enforcement Officer Colleen Johnson, the employers of these businesses, a 36-year-old man from Savage at Savage Super USA and a 32-year-old Belle Plaine woman at Rainbow Foods, have sold tobacco to minors after looking at their identification.

The check is very easy in process: under-age children visit certain businesses and try to buy tobacco products.

The businesses that fail the check should pay a fine and can lose the license for selling cigarette tobacco products. Even the clerks can be fined for ignorance of the law and selling of tobacco products to minors.

As it was stated, the Rainbow Food already faced the fine in 2003 for the same reason. Now, the owner of the store ought to pay a $500 fine and a 20-day suspension of its tobacco license. Belle Plaine also faces a $50 penalty.

The same penalty of 50$ was applied to Super USA employer. This store also ought to pay a $250 fine and a 10-day suspension of its tobacco license.

The practice of checking the businesses compliance with the city ordinance concerning the tobacco products and the sales of them to minors is carried out since 1997. Till today 31 violations have been registered. This result is not so bad, but as affirmed officer Colleen Johnson, it can be better.

Johnson said: the best would be no failures considering we only do (compliance checks) once a year, as it’s not good when we have any sales.