3 Establishments Fail Tobacco Compliance Inspections: Orange PD

MILFORD, CT – After The Orange Police Department conducted 12 unannounced tobacco compliance inspections, police officials said three establishments were found non-compliant with selling tobacco or e-cigarette to a person under 21.

Orange Police Department worked with the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) to conduct unannounced compliance inspections of establishments selling tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes.

After the inspection of 12 establishments, Puff Town, 104 Boston Post Rd., Smoke Shop, 116 Boston Post Rd., and Loves Food Mart LLC/ Valero Gas, 347 Boston Post Rd., were found to be non-compliant, police said.

The offending clerks at the non-compliant establishments were issued a first-time infraction for $300, police said.

Police officials said the inspections were performed to determine compliance with state laws prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under 21.

Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or e-cigarette, police said.

Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Non-compliant inspection results are referred to DRS for possible administrative action, police said.