The Greenwich Police Department’s Community Impact Section, members of the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP), conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products in Greenwich. The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of eighteen.
Under the direction and supervision of DMHAS investigators, an underage youth, employed by the Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, entered establishments and attempted to purchase tobacco products.
A total of 10 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of this total, 6 establishments were found to be in violation of the General Statute of Connecticut, Sec. 53-344(b), Sale of tobacco to minors under eighteen.
The offending clerks at these establishments were issued infractions in the amount of $300. The Cigarette Dealer license holder at each establishment also faces additional administrative sanctions from the Department of Revenue Services, the state agency that issues Cigarette Dealer Licenses.
The establishments found to be in violation were as follows:
- Zyn’s News & Cigars 345 Greenwich Avenue
- Kay Market 1 N. Water Street
- Stateline Smoke Shop 215 Mill Street
- Gulf Gas Station and Mart 370 East Putnam Avenue
- Mohegan Vape and Cigar 1255 East Putnam Avenue
- Gulf Gas Station and Mart 1324 East Putnam Avenue
It should also be noted that the following businesses were found to be in compliance with the law: 1. Mobil Gas Station 520 East Putnam Avenue
- Sunoco Gas Station 510 East Putnam Avenue
- Byram Smoke Shop 111 Mill Street
- Cos Cob Stationery 228 East Putnam Avenue
