Of 10 Stores Checked For Tobacco Sales, 2 Were In Violation

GUILFORD, CT — The way it works: A person under 21 who works for the state goes into stores that sell tobacco and tries to buy cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Out of the 10 stores that were checked in a March 2 compliance operation, clerks in two stores sold to the undercover, and underage, operatives.

The Guilford Police Department in cooperation with staff members of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, conducted the town-wide unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco/nicotine products. State law forbids those products from being sold to anyone under 21. Even if you're 61, being asked to provide ID is common practice when buying tobacco, nicotine and e-cigarette products.

Under the direction and supervision of DMHAS investigators, an underage person, employed by the Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, entered the establishments and attempted to purchase tobacco products.

A total of 10 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of this total, two establishments were found in violation of state law; one sold tobacco and one sold e-cigarettes. Police said the "offending clerk" at each store was issued an infraction in the amount of $300.

The Cigarette Dealer license holder at each establishment also faces additional administrative sanctions from the Department of Revenue Services. The establishments that were found to be in violation are as follows:

• Food Mart Plus LLC – 1046 Boston Post Road.
• Mobil Mart – 1164 Boston Post Road.

It should also be noted that the following establishments were found to be in compliance with the law:

• Krauszers Food Store – 350 Stepstone Hill Road.
• Guilford Mart – 455 Boston Post Road.
• Chucky’s Mobil – 500 Boston Post Road.
• Guilford High Mart LLC – 490 Boston Post Road.
• Deli Unlimited Inc. – 1099 Boston Post Road.
• Guilford Food Mart – 1148 Boston Post Road.
• Guilford Xtra Mart – 1675 Boston Post Road.
• Sunshine Daydream Inc. – 2941 Boston Post Road.

The Guilford Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services appreciate the efforts of those business owners and operators that sell tobacco and nicotine products and share in our common interest of keeping our community safe by actively and effectively identifying age appropriate patrons making tobacco/nicotine purchases in their establishments. These steps help toward our common mission to help prevent the underage use of tobacco and nicotine products and the dangers affiliated therein.