In its latest tobacco compliance check, Dedham Health Department nabbed 11 stores selling to underage kids – a finding that has the health director surprised and perplexed.
“This is very high. I don’t know why,” Catherine Cardinale said. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
Cardinale said usually only a couple of establishments are caught selling cigarettes to minors when her department does a check. But in the sting carried out by two 17-year-olds last Saturday, 11 of 35 places did so, or 31 percent.
In the last check three to four months ago, three places sold, but they did not do so again this time, she said. The department tries to do the exercise four times each year.
The 11 new offenders were all given a $100 fine. According to Cardinale, they were:
- Super Supreme Gas, 405 Providence Highway
- Terri’s Market, 12 Louise Road
- Anthony’s Beer and Wine, 243 Bussey St.
- 4 Corner Citgo, 197 Milton St.
- We Got Gas, 2 Washington St.
- Courthouse Cigar Co., 366 Washington St.
- Tedeschi’s, 77 Cedar St.
- Endicott Variety, 878 East St.
- Ames Street Auto, 19 Ames St.
- Star Market, 795 Providence Highway
- Pam’s Market, 374 Bridge St.
“I don’t know why we had so many this time,” Cardinale added. “People who have never sold tobacco to a minor have sold to a minor.”
She said a second offense within a year brings a $300 fine, a third offense gets a $500 fine, and a fourth offense means the store loses its tobacco license. But you start fresh every calendar year, Cardinale said, so the Health Department has not fined anyone over $100.
Dedham Transcript staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.
