No Businesses Cited in Latest Tobacco Sting

A recent tobacco enforcement operation in Union City found no businesses selling tobacco products to minors, police said.

It was the first time in two years that all targeted businesses were completely compliant with tobacco sales regulations, said Sgt. Matias Pardo of the Union City Police Department.

“The more and more we do it, 100 percent compliancy isn’t going to be a far-fetched idea,” Pardo said.

During the operation conducted the week of June 20, minor decoys visited 40 randomly selected tobacco retailers in Union City, Pardo said.

Selling tobacco to minors is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $200 for the first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense. Violators also risk having their tobacco license revoked, Pardo said.

Police also conducted checks of nine restaurants and bars to ensure smoking was not allowed within 20 feet of the main entrances. None were in violation, Pardo said.

These operations are conducted several times a year, Pardo said.