Tobacco sting nets 10 violations

November 5, 2016

cigsDuring the past few weeks, deputies sent underage decoys to 48 San Luis Obispo County businesses to test if clerks would sell to customers under 21 years of age.

The decoys weren’t trying to buy alcohol, as of June the legal age to smoke cigarettes in California was raised to 21. Ten stores and eleven clerks failed the test and were cited for selling tobacco to underage customers.

Police issued the clerks a criminal citation for selling the tobacco, according to the sheriff’s department. Businesses that sold cigarettes to underage customers face administrative penalties including suspension of their ability to sell tobacco and a $1,000 fine for each offense. First and second offender business may elect to participate in a diversion program.

One store, the Oceano Market at 1711 Front Street, received its fourth citation.

Three stores, Paul’s Liquor at 101 N. Ocean Avenue in Cayucos; Bob & Jan’s Bottle Shop at 2292 Main Street in Cayucus and the Cambria Chevron at 2194 Main Steet in Cambria, received their third citation.

Another three stores received their second violation including the Nipomo Marketplace Chevron at 501 W. Tefft Street, the San Miguel Chevron at 998 K Street and the San Miguel Market & Deli at 1299 Mission Street.

In addition, three stores received their first violations including JJ’s Market at 2792 Halcyon Road in Arroyo Grande, Cayucos Gas & Mini Mart at 198 N. Ocean Avenue and Woodstone Marketplace at 6675 Bay Laurel Drive in Avila Beach.

The compliance checks focused on unincorporated communities including San Miguel, Santa Margarita, Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos, Avila Beach, Oceano and Nipomo.


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rOy: right on rOy!


The kids shouldn’t drink or smoke below age 18 but it should be their choice after that. It’s OK for them to go to war and get crippled or die but no drinking or smoking? They will find a way to do what they want just as criminals find guns and drugs. Just another way for the government to control the people. Police have better things to do and spend money on.


I call this “Safe Policing” because there is basically zero risk and a perceived positive reward (P.R. after enough spin). Too bad those 18-year old “kids” cannot join the military-industiral establishment to fight for the House of Saud and give their lives… oh wait.


Well, good thing those 18-year old “kids” cannot vote for president… oh wait.


Well, at least we don’t trust them to drink or smoke.


Odd. I work next to Woodstone and have for a few years, so frequent the place often. I have never seen tobacco products there.


This is the kinda crap that makes people HATE government and politicians. An 18 year old can go to war, they can hold down a job at an even earlier age which includes selling cigarettes yet they cannot smoke — and that’s going to keep them from smoking?


What utter frigging nanny-state bull manure.


How much did this sting cost? I helped pay for it, so I’d like to know. Also, are the kids they used to entrap these clerks paid or volunteers? What motivation do they have to participate?


Who the hell cares? Go find something better to do with your time and OUR MONEY, Police and DA Office. Teenagers have always smoked since tobacco was a thing, and always will.


What a friggin waste of tax dollars! With all the regulations on businesses we soon will scare everyone out of business and we’ll be stuck with chains and legal departments to fight this crap.