Any stores selling tobacco products in the city will be required to secure an annual permit from the city health district for $100 each as part of the Tobacco 21 program taking effect July 15.
The city health district board recently approved the third and final reading on the resolution, which allows the board to require the permits for all tobacco vendors in the city. A public hearing on the matter was held prior to the recent meeting, to accept public comment, but no one attended.
The program will also allow health officials to enforce the rules against selling tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.
That enforcement can include ensuring signs are clearly visible in tobacco establishments that indicate no tobacco products can be sold to anyone under 21.
There can also be inspections, both scheduled and unscheduled, and even undercover operations through an attempted purchase by an underage buyer.
City council had already passed legislation to allow the health department to oversee enforcement of the tobacco rules. According to the process map for implementing Tobacco21, any violations will result in written warnings, fines and could ultimately result in permit revocation for repeated violations.
Source:SALEMNEWS
