By Patrick Buturla
Special to the Voice
On April 10, the West Haven Police Department, working with the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and its Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes.
The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to young people under age 21.
Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under age 30 before selling a tobacco product or an e-cigarette. Free online training is available to retailers at https://www.ctclearinghouse.org/tobacco-merchant/.
A total of 25 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of the 25, four establishments were found noncompliant with Connecticut General Statutes Section 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21).
The offending clerks at the establishments were issued a first-time infraction of $300, with an increasing violation sum of $700 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense with a potential suspension.
Police Sgt. Patrick Buturla of the department’s Crime Prevention Unit, which led the local effort, said: “Our agency is committed to holding those accountable that are intentionally poisoning our community. We will continue to enforce these laws and take all necessary action against offenders.”
Mayor Dorinda Borer, who worked on youth vaping laws when she was a state representative, has been focusing on this area, saying: “While I am disappointed to see we still have some stores in violation, I am encouraged that the noncompliant list has dropped considerably in the past few months. Perhaps word is out that we are taking this seriously and will continually have these compliance checks until everyone gets the message that we are no longer allowing stores to make a profit from illegally contributing toward the youth vaping health crisis.”
Borer added: “Thank you to the great work of the Police and Health departments and the West Haven Prevention Council. And thank you to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which has come to West Haven to lead this process. I’m grateful for this amazing local and state collaboration that is committed to protecting our youth.”
City Health Director Maureen B. Lillis, who participated in the compliance checks, said, “As the local public health official responsible for the health and well-being of our community, myself and the department will continue to do all we can to address the vaping epidemic hurting the children of our city.”
Tobacco retailers are licensed by the state Department of Revenue Services. Noncompliant and compliant inspection results are referred to the DRS for possible administrative action.
The following retailers were found noncompliant: 1. Smoker’s Variety, 193 Boston Post Road; Take Away Market, 983 Boston Post Road; A1 Discount Liquors, 1055 Boston Post Road; West Haven Smoke World, 315 York St.;
The following retailers were found compliant: Puff City, 293 Elm St.; Sam’s Food Store, 665 Campbell Ave.; West Side Smoke Shop, 785 Campbell Ave.; FNF Food Mart, 912 Boston Post Road; Happy Harry’s Wine and Liquor, 897 Boston Post Road; Noble Gas, 949 Boston Post Road; Family Dollar, 1055 Boston Post Road; Smoker’s Choice, 1055 Boston Post Road; Lumpy’s Smoke Shop, 531 Campbell Ave.; Morrissey’s Package Store, 625 Campbell Ave.; Grillo’s Market, 137 Campbell Ave.; Best Food Mart/Best Gas, 147 Campbell Ave.; Cigarette Express, 307 Captain Thomas Blvd.; West Haven Shell, 261 Platt Ave.; Sid’s Package Store, 258 Platt Ave.; Krauzer’s, 10 Jones Hill Road; Baybrook Tobacco, 4 Jones Hill Road; Shell, 5 Jones Hill Road; Krauzer’s, 191 Platt Ave.; Saw Mill Package Store, 317 York St.; 21. York Street Market, 185 York St.