Monroe police detectives and state investigators performed unannounced inspections of stores in town for compliance with Connecticut's law against the sale of tobacco products to customers under the age of 18.
On Wednesday, a minor working for the Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program attempted to buy tobacco products at 15 Monroe establishments and all passed but one: the Buck Stop at 456 Main Street.
The clerk was issued a $200 fine for violation of Sec. 53-344(b) of the General Statutes of Connecticut for sale of tobacco to minors under 18. The Buck Stop also faces administrative sanctions from the Department of Revenue Services, the state agency that issues cigarette dealer licenses.
The Monroe Police Department and staff members of the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) worked together to organize and execute the unannounced compliance inspections.
The underage youth taking part in the inspections worked under the direction of Monroe police detectives and DMHAS investigators.
Police Lt. Brian McCauley was pleased with the level of compliance among Monroe businesses.
"I am very encouraged that there was only one out of 15," he said Friday. "It means the stores are paying attention to their customers and educating their employees about the laws."
Among the town merchants who passed compliance inspections are:
- Brand Cigars, 230 Roosevelt Drive
- CVS Pharmacy, 535 Monroe Turnpike
- Big Y World Class Market, 553 Monroe Turnpike
- Rite-Aid Pharmacy, 508 Monroe Turnpike
- Camaro Mini Mart, 487 Monroe Turnpike
- I.C.'s One Stop, 447 Monroe Turnpike
- Monroe Mobil, 405 Monroe Turnpike
- Walgreen's, 275 Monroe Turnpike
- Shell, 133 Main Street
- Monroe Country Market & Deli, 140 Main Street
- Mobil, 172 Main Street
- Monroe Smoke Shop, 181 Main Street
- Rite-Aid Pharmacy, 435 Main Street
- Stop & Go, 612 Main Street
