13 businesses warned during Visalia Police illegal tobacco sales inspection

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – In efforts to crack down on illegal tobacco sales to minors, the Visalia Police Department conducted tobacco compliance inspections at several businesses over two days resulting in a warning given to more than a dozen businesses.

Police say the inspections were conducted between Wednesday and Thursday on businesses within the City of Visalia with the purpose of ensuring that they were complying with California State Laws regarding the sale of tobacco and tobacco products as well as educating them on the recent changes to California flavored tobacco ban.

As the inspections took place, officers reported nine businesses were given warnings for having banned flavored tobacco products for sale and four businesses were given warnings for failure to display a valid California Cigarette and Tobacco Products License.

The police department says they will be holding a series of tobacco decoy and compliance inspections throughout the year to ensure businesses are complying with state law. They add retailers found guilty of selling tobacco products to a minor can be charged with a misdemeanor or subject to a final up to $1,000.

They also say possession of flavored tobacco products for sale can result in civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 per violation.