5 Stamford Businesses Cited In Tobacco Compliance Checks: Police

STAMFORD, CT — Five Stamford businesses were cited on March 11 for selling tobacco products to minors without asking for identification, according to the Stamford Police Department.

Officers from the SPD's Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad partnered with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program on unannounced compliance checks which were carried out on Monday at eight businesses around Stamford.

Underage customers were sent into the businesses to purchase tobacco products, Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin said, noting that there continue to be complaints from the community about illegal sales to youth.

"We continue to get a number of complaints from concerned parents, from educators, from our city health department, that this is and continues to be a major issue with our youth," Conklin said. "We're going to continue to work on this issue as time and resources allow."

The businesses that were cited were issued $300 fines, and will follow up with the state regarding their licenses, Conklin said.

The following businesses were found to be non-compliant:

• Bedford Street Market, 27 Bedford St.
• Golden Cave Convenience, 871 High Ridge Road
• Mohegan Smoke Shop, 900 High Ridge Road
• Smoke Clouds, 1128 E. Main St.
• Riverside Smoke Shop, 2538 Summer St.

The following businesses were found to be compliant:

• Mohegan Smoke Shop, 949 Bedford St.
• Zaza Smoke Shop, 1990 W. Main St.
• Mohegan Smoke Shop, 946 Hope St.