The Milford Police Department and staff of the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program recently conducted unannounced compliance inspections of businesses that sell tobacco products.
The inspections were performed to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under age 18.
Under the direction and supervision of investigators, an underage youth entered the establishments and attempted to buy tobacco products.
A total of 19 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of those, three establishments were found to be in violation of the Connecticut General Statute 53-344(b), which carries a $200 fine.
The offending clerks at the establishments were cited, police said. Also, the cigarette dealer license holder at each establishment faces additional administrative sanctions from the Department of Revenue Services, the state agency that issues cigarette dealer licenses.
In violation
Establishments found in violation are as follows: In and Out Mart Inc., 186 Bridgeport Ave.; Howard’s Variety, 34 Naugatuck Ave.; M.S. Convenience, 1201 Boston Post Rd.
In compliance
The following businesses were found to be in compliance with the law: 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.; Patriot Fuel, 719 Boston Post Rd.; Fairway Liquor Mart, 597 Bridgeport Ave.; Sure Mart, 695 Bridgeport Ave.; Milford Smoke Junction, 487 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.; Shell, 1345 New Haven Ave.; Shell Food Mart, 190 Woodmont Rd.; Mobil 118 Plains Rd;. Corner Convenience, 58 River St.