Hunter
11/30/22
The Coralville Police Department conducted tobacco compliance checks at 25 businesses Monday, resulting in three violations.
In a release from the Police Department, the employees who sold tobacco products to underage individuals worked at DeliMart on 1st Avenue; HyVee Fast and Fresh on the Coralville Strip; and Hawks Liquor and Tobacco, also on the Strip.
The clerks were charged with a simple misdemeanor and fined $135. Businesses are given a $300 civil penalty for the first offense, a $1500 fine or 30 day suspension for the second violation within 2 years; a $1500 fine AND 30-day suspension within 3 years; and a $1500 fine AND 60-day suspension for a fourth violation within three years.
Retailers who commit five violations within four years face revocation of their tobacco license.
The Coralville PD says in the release they will be conducting similar compliance checks for alcohol and tobacco sales to underage persons again in the near future. Those checks will continue periodically throughout the year.