Transcript Staff
Norman police cited six convenience store clerks Wednesday for furnishing tobacco to a minor.
Master Police Office Jennifer Newell said the Norman Police Department has received several citizen complaints about store clerks selling tobacco to minors.
"Because of this information, the Norman Police Department conducted an operation to see how many clerks would sell to a minor," Newell said.
She said a minor visited 21 convenience stores. Of the locations visited, clerks employed by Circle K, 1200 W. Lindsey St.; Sinclair, 2132- B W. Main St.; Sunshine Store, 320 White St.; 7-Eleven, 2800 S. Chautauqua Ave.; Shell, 1920 Atchinson St., and Phillips 66, 506 N. Porter Ave., all sold tobacco to the minor.
"In all of the cases where tobacco was sold to the minor, an ID indicating the subject was under 18 was shown to the clerk, but they sold tobacco to them anyway," Newell said.
She said the bond for violating this law can be as high as $279.
"The goal of this type of event is to identify the businesses currently selling tobacco to those under 18 and deter them from doing so in the future," Newell said.
As of Jan. 1, Norman police have arrested 63 people for possession of tobacco by a juvenile.
