County Liquor Inspectors to Begin Tobacco Enforcement Efforts Next Week

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Contact: Vicki Darnall, 301-217-1999
For Immediate Release: June 30, 1998

County Liquor Inspectors To Begin
Tobacco Enforcement Efforts
Next Week

As a result of legislation passed today by the Montgomery County Council, inspectors with the Board of License Commissioners (BLC) will begin compliance checks and enforcement of retail outlets in the County next week (July 6) to ensure that tobacco products are not being sold to minors (under 18 years of age). Retailers who are caught selling tobacco products to minors will receive a civil citation, resulting in a fine of $500 for the first violation, and $750 for a second or subsequent offense. With nearly 900 retail outlets in the County licensed by the State to sell tobacco products, BLC officials plan to visit between 30 and 40 retail outlets a week.

Using underage part-time workers, BLC inspectors will enter stores and businesses and observe as the minors attempt to purchase tobacco products. If the clerk sells the product to the minor, a civil citation will be issued on-site to the individual selling the product. In cases where the store clerk asks for identification, and then refuses to sell the product to the minor, the business will receive a letter from the County, informing the owner/manager that the store was in compliance with County and State law.

Bill 13-98, "Tobacco Distribution To Minors," was proposed by County Executive Douglas M. Duncan in May 1998 to give the County an additional enforcement tool to curb the illegal sale of tobacco to minors. Prior to the passage of this local legislation, the County could only enforce the State's criminal law.

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