Out of eleven West Haven businesses that currently sell tobacco four were cited for illegally selling tobacco products to someone under the age of 21 during recent unannounced compliance checks, according to West Haven Police Department.
West Haven Police Department, along with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) and West Haven Prevention Council (WHPC), conducted eleven compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on October 11, 2023.
“The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 21,” Connecticut Department of Mental Health explained. “Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or electronic cigarette.”
The following retailers were found to be non-compliant:
1. Smokers Variety; 912 Boston Post Road
2. Smovers Convenience; 1065 Boston Post Road
3. Krauzers Food Store; 544 Derby Ave
4. West Side Vape Shop; 785 Campbell Ave
The following retailers were found to be compliant:
1. Puff City; 293 Elm St
2. Xtra Fuel; 750 1st Ave
3. Smokers; 596 1st Ave
4. Best Fuel; 161 Boston Post Road
5. Ailingtown; 193 Boston Post Road
6. Cigarette Express; 307 Captain Thomas Boulevard
7. Krauzers; 10 Jones Hill Road
Of the four establishments who were found non-compliant with Connecticut General Statutes Section 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21). The offending clerks at these establishments were issued a first time infraction in the amount of $300.00. Learn more at: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/tpep
