December 27, 2004
OLYMPIA – Spokane
Regional Health District officers, accompanied by a Liquor Control
Board enforcement officer, conducted eight tobacco compliance checks
in Spokane earlier this month and all of the businesses checked
refused to sell tobacco to a minor
During the compliance checks a 15 or 16 year old enters a restaurant
or grocery store and attempts to buy cigarettes. The Board commends
the following businesses for refusing to sell to the underage person
working with the officers on Dec. 15:
- Altamont Pharmacy 928 S. Perry
St.
- Hillyard Grocery 5803 N. Market
St.
- Mission Food Mart 1905 E.
Mission Ave.
- Munchkin Market 1928 E. Mission
Ave.
- Safeway Fuel Center 3909 N.
Market St.
- Safeway Store 3919 N. Market
St.
- Zip Trip 3030 E. Euclid Ave.
-
Zip Trip 1503 Illinois Ave. E.
LCB enforcement officers have
conducted 210 tobacco compliance checks in Spokane County this year,
with four licensees selling tobacco to a minor.
Clerks who sell tobacco to a minor receive a $50 fine for a first time
offense. Licensees receive a penalty based on the following
guidelines:
- First offense $100 dollar fine,
- Second offense $300 dollar
fine,
- Third offense $1,000 dollar
fine with a six-month license suspension and,
- Fourth offense is a $1,500
dollar fine with a 12-month license suspension.
Note to Editor: Members of the public who have concerns or complaints
regarding tobacco sales to minors can contact the Liquor Control
Board’s toll free tip line at 1-888-838-3956.
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