Tobacco citations issued
Brister says stings continue

Jasper Police issued two citations during a tobacco sales sting held March 20.

Wanda Brister announced that two stores were given citations after selling tobacco products to a minor.

Sunshine Grocery #15, located at 559 E. Gibson, and U.S. Murphy, located at 802 W. Gibson, were cited during the most recent operation.

"The clerks are ticketed and if that business sells repeatedly to minors then the State Comptroller's office can step in and pull their license for selling tobacco," said Brister, who acts as the D.A.R.E. officer for Jasper County.

While only two stores were cited, Brister pointed out that the other 20 stores targeted complied with the state law and refused to sell tobacco products to the undercover agent for the operation.

"I think all the publicity that this program has been getting has been a big help in slowing the amount of stores selling to minors," Brister said. "It really bothers them a lot to see their name in the paper. They don't want it publicized that they are selling to minors and they know that when they are cited, they are going to be in the paper."

She said that extensive work by the department to check permits and make sure stores are in compliance with signage helps as well.

"I check with every store in the area at least once a month to make sure everything is on the up and up," Brister said. "But you will always have some stores that will come in and not want to comply with the state laws and sell to minors.

"One lady asked me if I enjoyed doing this and I told her I don't but when I think about my daughter being the one buying that tobacco product, then, yes, I enjoy doing it," Brister said.