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Seven St. Cloud Retailers Fined for Tobacco Sales to Minors
In St. Cloud, seven retailers were penalized for unlawfully selling tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21. This action underscores ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with age restrictions meant to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco use.
The businesses implicated in this violation include 320 Smoke Shop, Global Gas, Go For It, I Mart, Pilot Travel Center, Roadrunner Fuel, and Smoke Shop 7. These establishments were cited in city resolutions highlighting their failure to adhere to the legal requirement regarding the sale of tobacco products.
According to city council records, each of the seven businesses was fined $300, amounting to a collective financial penalty of $2,100. It is noteworthy that this is the first infraction for each of the retailers in the past three years, indicating a potential lapse in adherence to the law.
The citations stemmed from a recent operation by the St. Cloud Police Department, which involved an undercover operative aged between 17 and 21 making purchases at establishments licensed to sell tobacco. The results of this operation reflect the challenges in monitoring compliance and ensuring that tobacco products are not accessible to minors.
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During the St. Cloud City Council meeting held on March 24, the council members voted unanimously to approve these fines as part of the consent agenda. This act demonstrates the council’s commitment to enforcing regulations concerning the sale of tobacco.
In a broader context, the St. Cloud City Council had previously issued fines to three businesses in 2024 for similar offenses, reflecting ongoing vigilance in enforcing tobacco sales laws.
Source
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