3 Milford Stores Sell Tobacco to Teen: Police

Nineteen Milford businesses underwent unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products.

“The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 18,” Milford Police said via a press release.

The Milford Police Department and State of CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program staff conducted the inspections on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Under the direction and supervision of DMHAS investigators, an underage youth employed by the TPEP entered the businesses and tried to purchase tobacco products.

Out of 19 businesses, three establishments were found to be in violation of the Connecticut General Statute 53-344(b): Sale of Tobacco to minors under 18.

The violation carries a $200 fine and the offending clerks were cited, police said.

“The cigarette dealer license holder at each establishment also faces additional administrative sanctions from the Department of Revenue Services, the state agency that issues cigarette dealer licenses,” police said.

Milford Businesses in Violation

• In and Out Mart Inc., 186 Bridgeport Ave.
• Howard’s Variety 34 Naugatuck Ave.
• M.S. Convenience 1201 Boston Post Rd.

Milford Businesses in Compliance

• Colony News and Lotto 400 Boston Post Rd.
• Post Road News 902 Boston Post Rd.
• Walgreens 1083 Boston Post Rd.
• Shell Food Mart 25 Bridgeport Ave.
• Total Wine and Spirits 175 Cherry St.
• Village Wine Shoppe 324 Naugatuck Ave.
• Quick Food Mart 305 New Haven Ave.
• Shell Food Mart 524 New Haven Ave.
• Patriot Fuel 719 Boston Post Rd.
• Fairway Liquor Mart 597 Bridgeport Ave.
• Sure Mart 695 Bridgeport Ave.
• Milford Smoke Junction 487 Bridgeport Ave.
• Shell 1345 New Haven Ave.
• Shell Food Mart 190 Woodmont Rd.
• Mobil 118 Plains Rd.
• Corner Convenience 58 River St.

Photo by Mark Morgan Trinidad B, via flickr creative commons