Two Bismarck Stores Face Possible Tobacco Sale Suspension

Source from:  kfyrtv.com Kevin Gribble 2/26/2008 02/28/2008

It`s illegal to use or to buy tobacco if you`re under 18, and it`s also illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under 18. Two Bismarck stores had to answer to the city commission tonight for selling tobacco to minors twice in the last two years. Representatives from Interstate Tesoro and Central Market say they`re taking the mistake seriously and have taken measures to correct the problem. Tesoro`s David Wonnenberg notes, "We`ve installed some software on our cash registers that require us to type in the ID of the date on the ID that we look at." Central Market`s Arlyn VanBeek explains, "We are at this time conducting our own tobacco compliance checks in the store with Central Market, and we also have the tills where if the date is entered, it stops the transaction. It locks the tills." The commission decided that if either store violates the law again in the next year it will face a ten day tobacco sale suspension and perhaps even more penalties. Enditem