Bay Area Tobacco Stores Caught Selling To Minors

MILL VALLEY, CA — Police cited two businesses Sunday in Mill Valley after they were caught selling tobacco products to minors that officers had authorized as decoys to attempt to purchase tobacco from the retailers.

On Sunday, the Mill Valley Police Department conducted an operation they hoped would deter stores from selling tobacco products to minors.

Police said underage decoys, under the supervision of officers, attempted to purchase tobacco products from local retailers in Mill Valley.

Of the businesses they visited, two violated state law by selling tobacco products to the minors, police said.

"The Mill Valley Police Department is committed to holding businesses and individuals accountable for unlawful sales practices," police said. "These enforcement efforts are a critical part of our mission to keep the community safe and ensure that local retailers comply with laws designed to protect youth from the harmful effects of tobacco."

In October of 2024, the MPD received grant funding from the Department of Justice that provides funding for officer education, retailer compliance inspections, and minor decoy operations, all with the goal of preventing the unlawful sale of tobacco products to minors.