In order to assure that local tobacco retailers are not furnishing tobacco to underage buyers, the Bemidji Police Department will be conducting tobacco compliance checks beginning in early April. The checks will continue into late May.
The Bemidji Police Department encourages licensed tobacco retailers to educate their employees on proper procedures in checking customers’ identification and refusing sales to underage buyers. Employees and employers may be subject to criminal and civil penalties for tobacco sales made to underage persons.
This round of tobacco compliance checks is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. The grant is part of the “Educate and Congratulate Project” which seeks to educate retailers and keep tobacco out of the hands of Minnesota youth.
