Eight businesses failed a recent round of tobacco compliance checks Friday, and clerks were cited for the misdemeanor crime.

Tuesday, April 17, 2001

Eight businesses failed a recent round of tobacco compliance checks Friday, and clerks were cited for the misdemeanor crime.

The Albert Lea Police Department conducted the checks, the first of this year, at 40 Albert Lea businesses. Minors entered the businesses and tried to buy tobacco. According to the police, five clerks did not ask for proof of age, and three sold tobacco to the minor after looking at their driver’s license.

Businesses that failed were: Rainbow Foods, Palace Bar, Fountain Warehouse Liquor, Eagles Club, Amoco Food Shop, Korner Mart on South Broadway, Texaco Food Mart, and Wal-Mart. Rainbow Foods, Fountain Warehouse Liquor and Wal-Mart also failed compliance checks last November, police said.

The clerks that sold tobacco to minors were issued misdemeanor citations. Business owners may also face fines or have tobacco licenses suspended, police said.

Additional charges could be filed against the American Legion and Eagles Clubs for having cigarette vending machines in rooms allowing minors, a violation of state law and city ordinance, police said.