Five local retailers were tested as part of a tobacco enforcement undercover decoy sting operation Monday and all five were found to be 100% compliant with the law according to details released today by the Susanville Police Department.
This was the department’s second sting operation under the Department of Justice Law Enforcement Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Grant.
“The goal of this portion of the program is to gain 100% legal compliance from retailers to sell tobacco and nicotine products to only people 21 years of age or older,” explains Susanville Police Captain Ryan Cochran.
Current law prohibits a person or retailer to sell tobacco products to a person under the age of 21.
“The decoy program consists of using a person under the age of 21 years of age to purchase tobacco products. If asked by the retailer, the minor decoy tells them their true age and if requested, provides their true identification. The decoy is monitored and observed at all times by SPD Officers.”
The department’s Enforcement Team visited the Smokin’ Bean, Dollar General, Walmart, Safeway and Mobil Gas/Mini Mart.
According to Cochran all of the retailers successfully rejected the minor decoy’s request by either asking their age or viewing their identification.
“We are pleased that we had 100% compliance from the retailers that were visited. The Susanville Police Department has been working hard on educating our local retailers on the new laws regarding tobacco sales. This operation shows the education is working in our community. Congratulations to all the retailers. Keep up the good work.”
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