Stores fail tobacco checks
Published 10:08 am Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Six local stores failed tobacco compliance checks for selling to a minor Tuesday and all will face fines.
Apollo grocery, two Ankeny’s mini-marts, BLS Import, Freedom Gas Station and Hari Food Mart all failed their checks. Twenty-five other stores passed in Austin.
For Apollo, one of the Ankeny’s locations and Freedom gas, the failed checks were all first offenses, which will cost $75.
The other locations all failed for a second time, meaning $100 fines.
A third offense is worth $250 and at least a seven-day license suspension.
During the checks, a person under the age of 18 attempts to buy a pack of cigarettes. He or she can’t lie about their age and must provide a valid ID if asked.