Five of 15 Paso Robles Stores Tested Sold Tobacco to Underage Decoy

Source from:  sanluisobispo.com Wed, Jun. 04, 2008 06/05/2008

Five Paso Robles stores sold tobacco to an underage decoy, authorities said Wednesday. The Paso Robles Police Department and county Tobacco Control Program cooperated in the May 30 operation in which a local teenager attempted to buy tobacco at 15 stores. Clerks at five of the stores completed the sale to the minor. The five stores were: Pioneer News Food Mart, 1145 Spring St.; Valero, 2340 Spring St.; Rite Aid, 2424 Spring St.; Wayside Liquors, 703 Creston Road; and Cigarettes for Cheaper, 181 Niblick Road, according to a statement from the Tobacco Control Program. The clerks could be fined from $200 to $1,000. Selling tobacco to anyone under 18 is illegal in California. Authorities promised to conduct regular compliance checks in Paso Robles. Enditem