Constable David Hill’s office trying to stop underage smoking by cutting off the supply
PRESS RELEASE
The Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constables Department in conjunction with the Texas State Comptroller’s Office has been performing Tobacco Compliance checks on several stores in the Magnolia area.
On April 9, 2009 seven deputies went to 37 store front locations in the Magnolia area to check compliance with all laws that apply to tobacco compliance. These compliance checks look for the proper signage about the Illegal sale of Tobacco to minors as well as any loose cigarette sales. At the time of the check all 37 stores were found to be in compliance with all laws.
On May 12, 2009 The Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constables Department performed an undercover sting on 20 stores to check compliance for the sale of tobacco to underage minors. Four undercover deputies, along with 2 uniformed deputies performed a sting using two underage juveniles to attempt to purchase tobacco at 20 stores in the Magnolia area. Out of the 20 stores attempted only two stores sold tobacco to minors. The Chevron located at 10940 FM 1488, and The Stuffy Mart located at 27102 FM 2978 sold tobacco to the minors. All other stores asked for Identification. Both employees at the stores who sold the tobacco to the minors were issued citations for Illegal sale of tobacco to minor. The sale of tobacco to a minor under 18 years of age is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. The Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constables Department will continue to perform these stings in the future and will cover all the stores in the Precinct 5 area.
Anyone with information about the Illegal sale of tobacco to minors is asked to call the Precinct 5 Constables office at 281-259-6493.
