A third and final grant-funded underage tobacco check by Vernon Hills police found no violations with regard to the sale of tobacco to minors.
Throughout the operation, a minor attempted to purchase tobacco products at local businesses. The purchase was attempted under the supervision of a Vernon Hills police officer. Of the 14 establishments that were checked, none were found to be in violation of the law by selling tobacco to a minor.
The Vernon Hills department also recently learned it was awarded a new grant in the amount of $1,540 from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. This grant, the 16th one received by the department, will be used to continue educational and enforcement efforts regarding minimum-age tobacco laws, according to a news release from Vernon Hills.
Between now and May 31, 2016, the department will conduct three additional checks at every village tobacco licensee. The purpose of these checks will be to ensure that minors are unable to purchase tobacco.
Prior to the first check, police said, each licensee will receive an educational letter from the police department, advising them of the upcoming enforcement plans and applicable law. The department will also be distributing educational material designed to assist licensees.
Since 2000, the police department has conducted about 800 checks in conjunction with the Liquor Control Commission grants. Collectively, the tobacco sale was refused over 96 percent of the time. The refusal rate was 100 percent during the last four grant periods.
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