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.

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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.