Three local businesses charged by local tobacco enforcement staff

March 4, 2010 Belleville Intelligencer

Intelligencer Staff

Three local businesses were charged late last year by local tobacco enforcement staff, a health unit enforcement report says.

The report from the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit shows the three were issued tickets for selling tobacco to someone under age 19.

A court hearing was held Wednesday in Belleville in the case of Shop and Stop Express Mart on Wooler Road in Trenton. It's alleged tobacco was sold to a minor at the store Dec. 11.

The case was adjourned Wednesday until June 8.

Belleville's Olco Gas on Moira Street West was charged Dec. 14 and convicted Jan. 25, resulting in a $125 fine.

Majha Gas and Variety on Highway 62 just north of Highway 401 was fined $95 after being convicted Dec. 3. The illegal sale occurred Nov. 21.

Local Smoke-Free Ontario enforcement staff inspected 92 public places, workplaces and other areas between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. They made 69 vendor compliance checks to ensure retailers weren't selling tobacco to minors and made 37 inspections to ensure vendors complied with new product display restrictions, according to the report.

The staff also fielded more than 41 public complaints and requests for information.