No Citations in Tobacco Compliance Sting

EVANSTON, IL - A tobacco compliance sting performed by Evanston police at 34 city businesses Wednesday came up empty.

All 34 places of businesses complied with the law and did not sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 21, according to a police news release sent Friday.

“These operations are usually conducted several times a year at various times to keep businesses in compliance with state laws and local ordinances that restrict the sale of products such as tobacco,” according to the release, which pointed out that while Illinois law prohibits tobacco sales to anyone under 18, the age minimum in Evanston has since been raised to 21 through a city ordinance.

Citations are made if the store vendor sells a tobacco product to a minor working undercover without asking for proper identification.

Police would not release the names of the businesses that passed the check, stating they only do so when a citation is made.