Local Businesses Cited for Selling Tobacco to Minors

Source from:  By Melissa Lore / Independent Reporter Thursday, June 26, 2008 06/27/2008

Two Jackson County businesses were recently cited for selling tobacco to minors by the Arkansas Tobacco Control Office. Rusty's Quick Shop in Swifton and Jordan's Kwik Stop #5 in Newport both received a warning in May for first offense sale to minor. While the businesses were not fined for the citation, Willie Kinder and Darlene Dyer were both fined $200 for selling the products at the two stores. Another business in Newport was cited earlier in the year. Jordan's Kwik Stop #4 was charged with sale to minor, second offense, in March and was fined $200. When a business is cited for a first offense, they are given a warning. If a second offense is issued within two years, the company is cited and must pay a fine. According to the Arkansas Tobacco Control, Arkansas' sale to minor violation rate is at 4.7 percent, second lowest in the nation. They attribute this to training by employers and employees doing their jobs well, including checking drivers licenses to verify the age of the purchaser. Enditem