State and local officials conducted compliance checks at a dozen Southington businesses last week and found that half of them were willing to sell tobacco or vape products to a customer who was under 21 without identification.
The checks were carried out last Wednesday and were a collaborative effort between the Southington Police Department’s Detective and Patrol Divisions as well as the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and the Southington STEPS Coalition, according to Southington Capt. James Armack.
Armack said authorities worked with an individual who was under 21 who went to each business and tried to buy a vape or tobacco product without an ID.
According to Armack, the businesses that were found to be in violation included the Sunoco Food Mart at 398 Main St.; Cigar Plus Tobacco Shop at 909 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike; K & M Smoke Shop at 1672 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike; Smoke Village at 861 Queen St.; Smoke Valley N Convenience at 1173 Queen St.; and Cigar and Vape Hookah at 400 N. Main St.
Armack said the employees who were working at each business were issued infractions for illegal sale of vape products to someone under 21 years of age.
Officials with DCP are expected to conduct a follow-up investigation with the owners of each business. Armack said police plan on continuing to work with partner agencies to further prevent illegal these types of illegal sales to underage customers.
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