Agenda - Council - 11/14/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I ! I I I i I I I I I I I I I TOBACCO SALES COMPLIANCE PROJECT By: Mike Auspos, Police Chief CASE # 7 Background: The Association fgr Nonsmokers-Minnesota has sent to us information concerning their efforts to have police agencies conduct compliance checks at tobacco outlets (see attachments). The time to condu~t the compliance checks only, without any subsequent prosecution of violators, is not very extensIve once the officer(s) and the checker(s) have established a routine, and the clerical cost is r~ostly the postage for mailing advance notice letters and compliance/non- compliance letters.[ RecommendatiOn: Staff feels the Ci~ should participate in this program in order to build a sound community and demonstrate our sgcial responsibility. This will likely be a very publicized effort, and those cities selected will be to some extent in the media spotlight as well those who don't participate. I do feel, however, that for this program to be more than just a noble effort that looks good, we also need to conda, cta second compliance check at a set time after the first and to subsequently bring formal charges against violators including Gross Misdemeanor criminal charges against the sellers and possibt, e tobacco license suspensions against the retail outlets. The expense for this rises quite a bit above the simple compliance checks due to prosecution costs as well as more officer time for ca~ preparation. Council Action: Based upon discussion. Reviewed by: Police Chief City Administrator' Finance Officer CC: 11/14/95 /jmk