NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Twelve businesses in Naperville, Illinois, were cited for selling tobacco and alternative nicotine products to underage customers, following a round of compliance checks conducted by the Naperville Police Department on March 15 and 16, 2023.
According to Naperville Police, the check carried out the compliance on 76 local businesses to assess whether they were complying with the minimum-age tobacco laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco and alternative nicotine products to people under 21 years old.
Twelve of the businesses failed to comply with the law and were issued City Ordinance citations for selling these products to minors.
Among those cited were Dr Lungzzz located at 2728 W 75th St. #114, Food Plus at 351 E Bailey Rd, Mobil (Casey’s) at 20 E Ogden Av, Mobil at 1280 W Ogden Av, SHO Mart at 1303 Plainfield-Naperville Rd, Smoke O Vapor at 686 S Route 59, Smoke XL at 1003A W Ogden Av, Smokes N Vapes at 760 N Route 59 #108, Smokers Choice at 803 E Ogden Av, Smoky Brothers at 2811 Patriots Ln #105, Speedway at 631 N Route 59, and U Smoke at 931 E Ogden Av.
Since November 2022, the failure rate for checks has increased. During a check of 73 area businesses, nine were cited for failing. Smoke O Vapor and Smoke N Vapor were both cited for failing checks during the Fall.
Illinois vendors who commit their first offense for noncompliance with minimum-age tobacco laws may receive a $200 fine, but only if they lack a training program. Those who receive four or more citations within 12 months could face fines up to $750. Retailers or businesses selling tobacco products to minors are subject to both civil and criminal penalties under federal law, including jail time, fines, and revocation of their license to sell tobacco products.
The Naperville Police Department compliancy check program is funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services Tobacco Enforcement Program to help inform local retailers about the law prohibiting sales of tobacco products to shoppers under the age of 21.
