LONGVIEW, Feb. 18, 2012--On February 10, 2012 the Longview Police Department conducted tobacco stings to test the compliance of Longview area tobacco retailers in regards to Texas tobacco laws. The undercover stings utilized 14-16 year old minors, accompanied by Longview Police Officers, who entered stores and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The stings are funded through a grant issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
 
The Texas Health and Safety Code states that it is unlawful for a person to sell, give or cause to be sold or given a cigarette or tobacco product to someone who is younger than 18 years of age. A violation of this statute is punishable as a class C misdemeanor and the fine is over $500.00.
 
Undercover tobacco and alcohol stings have proven to be an effective means of protecting Longview youth by encouraging compliance with Texas laws and will continue on a random basis in the future.
 
Citations were issued to the clerk at each location that sold tobacco to the undercover minor and the clerk will have to appear at the Longview Municipal Court to resolve the citation.
 
The undercover officer/minor teams went to 50 Longview area tobacco retailers and of those, 7 retailers sold tobacco to the undercover minors.
 
The locations that sold tobacco products to minors include:
 
Food Fast                                   1316 Alpine Rd
Super 1 Foods                             1217 E. Marshall
Food Fast                                   427 E. Loop 281
E-Z Mart                                   1910 Judson Rd
Valero                                        3400 Gilmer Rd
J&B Food Mart                             1600 S. Green
Briana's Stop & Shop (Texaco)       3122 Estes Pkwy