Clerks Cited for Tobacco Sales

Source from:  rds.yahoo.com June 04, 2008 06/05/2008

State agents cited 41 store clerks in seven counties during April and May on charges of selling tobacco to minors, according to the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. The clerks were cited in Johnston, Harnett, Cumberland, Wayne, Robeson, Moore and Richmond counties. Selling tobacco to a minor is a Class II misdemeanor. Violators may be fined up to $1,000 or ordered to perform up to 30 days of community punishment if they have no prior convictions. Clerks with prior convictions could serve time in jail. Each month, Alcohol Law Enforcement agents randomly check stores that sell tobacco products to make sure clerks are asking for identification and refusing sales to anyone under age 18 as part of the Tobacco Education and Compliance Check Program. "Since starting these checks five years ago, we have seen the number of underage tobacco sales drop significantly," ALE Director William Chandler said. "We will continue to conduct unannounced compliance checks at retail sales outlets to ensure young people cannot purchase cigarettes or any other tobacco product." Enditem