BERLIN – The Berlin Police Department, working in conjunction with the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, conducted unannounced compliance inspections of retail establishments within the town that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes.
Berlin Police said the inspections were performed to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under 21 years old.
According to State Law, retailers are required to ask for a photo ID of anyone under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or electronic cigarette.
Berlin Police said a total of 21 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of those 21 inspections, four establishments were found to be non-compliant with Connecticut General Statutes Section, which is the sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21 years of age.
The establishments that were found to be non-compliant were issued a first-time infraction of $300.
Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Non-compliant inspection results are then referred to the DRS for possible administrative action.
The retailers found to be non-compliant included Friendly Mart, 164 New Britain Road; Mobil Mart, 21 Chamberlain Highway; Gulf/Sam’s Food Store, 301 Berlin Turnpike; and Citgo/Atlantis Fresh Market, 109 Berlin Turnpike.
Retailers that were found to be compliant included Citgo Quick Mart, 152 New Britain Road; Top Shelf, 300 New Britain Road; Family Dollar, 45 Chamberlain Highway; Dollar General, 896 Farmington Avenue; Walgreens, 980 Farmington Avenue; Smoke 11, 1130 Farmington Avenue; C&C Wines and Spirits, 1207 Farmington Avenue; Shell, 1239 Farmington Avenue; Citgo/Atlantis, 1289 Farmington Avenue; Berlin Spirits, 48 Mill Street; Cigar & Tobacco, 544 Demming Road; Wine Merchants, 717 Berlin Road; Convenience Store/Mobil, 1376 Berlin Turnpike; Heritage Wine and Spirits, 1943 Berlin Turnpike; Atlantis Fresh Market, 2005 Berlin Turnpike; Plaza Liquors, 863 Beckley Road; and Berlin Convenience & Deli, 831 Mill Street.
