Bismarck Tribune

By GORDON WEIXEBy GORDON WEIXEL

Three convenience stores facing suspension or even revocation of tobacco sales because of violations committed over the past 24 months presented their cases before the Bismarck City Commission on Tuesday.

Gas Plus at 1309 E. Interstate Ave., Mini Mart at 2600 Rosser Ave. and Best Stop at 1115 Interstate Ave. had been cited on two occasions in the past 24 months for allowing employees to sell tobacco to people under age 18.

The commission approved giving each of the businesses a deferred 10-day suspension of sales. If the businesses don't violate tobacco sale ordinances during the next year, the suspensions will not be imposed. If there is a violation, the 10-day suspension of sales will be enforced and an additional penalty will be imposed.

Six clerks were involved in the sales and each was fined $150. A second violation has a $350 fine and a third could lead to jail time.

City Attorney Charlie Whitman told commissioners he had reviewed each of the cases and found nothing out of the ordinary. Each case occurred as part of a compliance check. In two cases, employees requested and looked at the identifications but apparently miscalculated the person's age. In the other cases, clerks sold the tobacco product without looking at the identifications.

Store managers described the situation, employee training program and measures they are taking to stop tobacco sales to underage individuals.