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Two cited for tobacco violations
Two employees of two different retailers were cited for Sale of Tobacco to a Minor during a recent two-part compliance check conducted by the Friendswood Police Department.
The check was to ensure compliance with Texas laws as they relate to tobacco sales to minors.
On Dec. 11, according to FPD, an employee of HEB, 701 W. Parkwood Ave., was cited after failing to enter a teen's valid identification information into the store computer. This action resulted in the teen being allowed to purchase a can of smokeless tobacco.
An employee of Mr. Smoke, 2525 Friendswood Link Road, was cited after failing to ask for proper identification from a teenager who was able to purchase a package of cigarettes.
Friendswood Crime Prevention Officer Kevin Crouch said that these operations are conducted to increase compliance with state laws and regulations which help reduce underage tobacco usage.
The compliance operations are conducted in two parts; the first being a controlled buy.
"A minor, with guardian consent and under police supervision, will attempt to purchase a tobacco product from a store,” Crouch said. “If a sale is made, the cashier responsible for the sale will be cited for Sale of Tobacco to a Minor. "
The second phase of the operation consists of a store inspection by a peace officer who will verify that each business is meeting state requirements for the sale of tobacco. This includes verifying the cigarette/tobacco permit, display of warning signs, sales of single cigarettes, distribution of promotional items, documentation of employee training/notification, and location of tobacco products.
Of the 18 stores that underwent this inspection on Dec. 19, 14 were found to have violations. On Dec. 19, again at the HEB, clerk assistance was not necessary to obtain a tobacco product. Clerk assistance was also not required at Tobacco, Etc., 149 N. Friendswood Drive. Warning signs were expired and documentation of employee notification was also missing at Tobacco, Etc. Warnings were issued to retailers not in compliance and the information reported to the Texas State Comptroller's Office.
Permits and warnings were out of date or otherwise not in compliance with state law at Valero, 700 W. Parkwood Ave., Walgreens, 102 N. Friendswood Dr., Phillips 66, 2221 County Road 129, Shell, 4550 FM 2351, Chevron, 2932 W. Bay Area Blvd. and Fancy Food Store, 2525 Friendswood Link Rd.
Stores missing documentation of employee notification or training regarding the laws included Mobil, 2255 W. Parkwood Ave., Valero, 700 W. Parkwood Ave, Walgreens, 104 E. Parkwood Ave., Conoco, 802 S. Friendswood Dr., Shell, 101 S. Friendswood Dr., Kroger, 151 N. Friendswood Dr. and Shell, 4550 FM 2351. Also, Mr. Smoke, 2525 Friendswood Link Rd., and Fancy Food Store, 2525 Friendswood Link Rd.
Stores checked that were in compliance were Speedy Mart, 2414 W. Parkwood Ave., Power
Mart, 102 Winding Rd., Smart Stop, 5103 FM 2351 and the Shell station, 4001 FM 2351.
The check was to ensure compliance with Texas laws as they relate to tobacco sales to minors.
On Dec. 11, according to FPD, an employee of HEB, 701 W. Parkwood Ave., was cited after failing to enter a teen's valid identification information into the store computer. This action resulted in the teen being allowed to purchase a can of smokeless tobacco.
An employee of Mr. Smoke, 2525 Friendswood Link Road, was cited after failing to ask for proper identification from a teenager who was able to purchase a package of cigarettes.
Friendswood Crime Prevention Officer Kevin Crouch said that these operations are conducted to increase compliance with state laws and regulations which help reduce underage tobacco usage.
The compliance operations are conducted in two parts; the first being a controlled buy.
"A minor, with guardian consent and under police supervision, will attempt to purchase a tobacco product from a store,” Crouch said. “If a sale is made, the cashier responsible for the sale will be cited for Sale of Tobacco to a Minor. "
The second phase of the operation consists of a store inspection by a peace officer who will verify that each business is meeting state requirements for the sale of tobacco. This includes verifying the cigarette/tobacco permit, display of warning signs, sales of single cigarettes, distribution of promotional items, documentation of employee training/notification, and location of tobacco products.
Of the 18 stores that underwent this inspection on Dec. 19, 14 were found to have violations. On Dec. 19, again at the HEB, clerk assistance was not necessary to obtain a tobacco product. Clerk assistance was also not required at Tobacco, Etc., 149 N. Friendswood Drive. Warning signs were expired and documentation of employee notification was also missing at Tobacco, Etc. Warnings were issued to retailers not in compliance and the information reported to the Texas State Comptroller's Office.
Permits and warnings were out of date or otherwise not in compliance with state law at Valero, 700 W. Parkwood Ave., Walgreens, 102 N. Friendswood Dr., Phillips 66, 2221 County Road 129, Shell, 4550 FM 2351, Chevron, 2932 W. Bay Area Blvd. and Fancy Food Store, 2525 Friendswood Link Rd.
Stores missing documentation of employee notification or training regarding the laws included Mobil, 2255 W. Parkwood Ave., Valero, 700 W. Parkwood Ave, Walgreens, 104 E. Parkwood Ave., Conoco, 802 S. Friendswood Dr., Shell, 101 S. Friendswood Dr., Kroger, 151 N. Friendswood Dr. and Shell, 4550 FM 2351. Also, Mr. Smoke, 2525 Friendswood Link Rd., and Fancy Food Store, 2525 Friendswood Link Rd.
Stores checked that were in compliance were Speedy Mart, 2414 W. Parkwood Ave., Power
Mart, 102 Winding Rd., Smart Stop, 5103 FM 2351 and the Shell station, 4001 FM 2351.
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