Six Clerks Cited in Longview Tobacco Stings

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department conducted tobacco stings to test the compliance of Longview-area tobacco retailers in regard to Texas tobacco laws. Six clerks were cited in the January 8th operation. The undercover stings utilized 14-16 year old minors, accompanied by Longview police officers, who entered stores and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The stings are funded through a grant issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The Texas Health and Safety Code states that it is unlawful for a person to sell, give, or cause to be sold or given a cigarette or tobacco product to someone who is younger than 18 years of age. A violation of this statute is punishable as a class C misdemeanor and the fine is over $500.

Citations were issued to the clerk at each location that sold tobacco to the undercover minor, and the clerk will have to appear at the Longview Municipal Court to resolve the citation, according to a police news release. The undercover officer/minor teams went to 43 Longview area tobacco retailers during the operation. These tobacco retailers allegedly sold tobacco products to the undercover minors:

A-Z Mart – N. Eastman Rd.
Gil Food Mart – S. High St.
Food Fast – S. Access Rd
Kroger – W. Marshall Ave.
Super 1 Foods – E. Marshall Ave.
Food Fast – 1700 Blk. Judson Rd.

Undercover tobacco and alcohol stings have proven to be an effective means of protecting Longview youth by encouraging compliance with Texas laws and will continue on a random basis in the future, according to the news release.