State Rep. Vernon Smith wants to shine a light on the selling of illegal loose cigarettes at gas stations and convenience stores across Gary.
“I’ve been working on this for 14 to 15 years, trying to stop various gas stations that operate in Gary that are selling cigarettes individually and not carding people as the law specifies,” Smith said.
Smith, D-Gary, said he often sees loose cigarettes sold at stores in Gary.
“Several times I’ve been in there, and they’ll take the money inside and then hand it to them outside,” Smith said.
The sale of loose cigarettes is illegal under both federal and state law.
Records from the Indiana State Excise Police back up Smith’s argument, as Lake County — and Gary in particular — is ripe for tobacco violations.
One store in Gary — K & L Gas Station Inc., 6201 W. 5th Ave. — has been cited for selling loose cigarettes twice in the past four months. It was fined $300 for violations on Feb. 10 and April 15. The owners of the store could not be reached for comment.
On Jan. 25, Broadway Marathon M&T Inc., 2500 Broadway, was cited and fined $350 for the same reason as well as selling them less than cost and failing to remove ashtrays. The owners of the store could not be reached for comment.
On Nov. 24, Yemen Gas Mini Mart, 4500 Broadway, was cited for selling loose cigarettes, as was Shamsan Food Mart, 1501 Broadway, on Dec. 9 and One Stop, 719 W 45th Ave., on Jan. 25.
Lake County had two stores with tobacco violations in April, one in March, three locations in February, 10 in January, one in March, 10 in December and three in November.
Smith has spoken to the State Excise Police about the problem, but he doesn’t think enough is being done.
“They claim that they come in from time to time to raid them, but evidently they don’t come often enough because I see it happen too often,” Smith said.
Cpl. Heather Lynch, spokeswoman for the State Excise Police, said the agency investigates all complaints as well as police operating on “self-initiative in their respective counties of assignment.”
“Administrative violations for loose cigarettes and sale below minimum price occur in convenience stores, gas stations, package liquor stores and tobacco shops,” she wrote in an email.
She urged anyone who is aware of a violation to call their local district excise office. Lake and Porter counties are in District 1. To report a violation for District 1, call 574-264-9480 or email [email protected]