For Release: Immediate  Date: August 15, 2003

Contact: Patty McQuillan Phone: (919) 733-5027 (ext.232)

During July, N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement agents conducted undercover tobacco compliance checks at 597 retail establishments in 18 western counties and cited 118 store clerks for selling tobacco to underage children.

A person engaged in the sale of tobacco products is required by law to demand proof of age if the buyer appears to be under 18 years of age. Failure to demand the proof of age is a Class 2 misdemeanor. If convicted, the clerks who were charged during these tobacco compliance checks could pay a $1,000 fine plus $100 in court costs and perform up to 30 hours of community service.

“The law is clear that selling tobacco to children is illegal,” said ALE Director Mike Robertson, “Hopefully, this campaign will emphasize how important it is for store clerks to check the IDs of young people to be sure they are not selling tobacco or alcohol to underage children.”

ALE agents used a person under the age of 18, to try to purchase cigarettes, cigars, snuff or bulk tobacco. Retail establishments were checked in Alamance, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caswell, Catawba, Davidson, Guilford, Jackson, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties.

ALE’s Tobacco Education and Compliance Check Program is conducted in partnership with the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services and the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission. It is also a cooperative effort among community agencies, local law enforcement agencies, merchants, parents and teens.

ALE has 76 agents across North Carolina who enforce the state’s alcohol and tobacco laws.

###

Back to Top

CCPS Home

Back to News Release List