Riverside Police Announce Results of Tobacco Compliance Checks

Submitted by the Riverside Police Department.

Riverside, IL - The Riverside Police Department completed the last round of grant year 2016 compliance checks at local retailers to ensure they are complying with state laws and local ordinances regarding the sale of tobacco products to minors. 

The 7-11, Marathon and Amstar gas stations were all visited by officer Brian Greenenwald and a cooperating minor May 18. One vendor sold tobacco products to the cooperating minor and was issued a $50 citation for doing so. 

“This grant-funded program is in place to make sure that our retailers do the right thing and prevent underage tobacco use. We will continue to request this grant and offer retail training to our vendors to ensure compliance,” Greenenwald said. 

This program begins with retailer education in which retailers are provided training materials and store signage regarding tobacco purchasing laws. 

Following that education, three surprises compliance checks are completed to make sure that retailers are following the applicable ordinances and laws. For more information on this program, please contact Greenenwald.