The most recent series of random compliance checks found that 43 of 48 tobacco retailers in Clallam County followed the law against selling cigarettes to minors, the state Liquor Control Board said May 28.
Five retailers illegally sold cigarettes to minors, the state said in a statement, resulting in an 89.5 percent compliance rate.
This year, instead of offering tobacco retailer education classes, Jill Dole, tobacco prevention and control specialist for Clallam County, visited more than 50 tobacco retailers.
Retailers caught
Retailers that sold cigarettes to minors were Liquid Fuel, 210 E. First St., Port Angeles; Sequim Chevron No. 105, 23 Hooker Road; Olson’s Resort, Front Street, Sekiu; Ron’s Food Mart, 170 N. Forks Ave.; and Tesoro No. 408, 171 N. Forks Ave.
These stores received fines issued by the Liquor Control Board according to the number of illegal sales in a two-year period: first offense, $100 fine to the store owner and $50 to the sales clerk; second offense, $300 fine; third offense, $1,000 fine and a six-month tobacco license suspension; fourth offense, $1,500 fine and a 12-month license suspension; fifth offense, permanent license revocation.
Retailers that did not sell tobacco to underage youth received certificates of appreciation.
Businesses that refused to sell tobacco to minors in Port Angeles include Rite Aid No. 5257, Arco AM PM; Albertson’s No. 404, Fairmount Grocery & Deli, Liquid Fuels No. 410, PA Chevron, McPhee’s Grocery, P & K Deli Mart, Lovell Road Runner 76, Safeway No. 1492, Rite Aid No. 5257, Grandview Grocery, Peninsula Outpost, Food Mart, Walgreen’s No. 11215, Safeway Fuel No. 1492, Welcome Inn RV Park, Agnew Grocery, Wagner’s Grocery at Laird’s Corner, Shadow Mountain Grocery, Smoke & Smoke, S.V. Market, Reggie’s Lounge, P&K Deli, Lovell Road Runner, Safeway Fuel No. 1922, Eagles Club and Liberty.
Sequim businesses include D&L Grocery, C&K Smoke Shop, Safeway No. 1448, Speedi Mart, Walgreen’s, Rite Aid No. 5265, Kettel’s 76, Hardy’s Market and Carlsborg Station.
West End businesses include Evergreen 76, Fork’s Thriftway, Lost Resort, Weel Road Deli, Lake Pleasant Grocery and the Spring Tavern.
The Department of Health provides informational brochures and posters to teach employees how to read state IDs and driver’s licenses.
