January 11, 2011 > Tobacco Control Program for minors Tobacco Control Program for minors Submitted By Sgt. M. Pardo, Union City PD As a part of a grant through the Alameda County Health Department Tobacco Control Program, during the week of December 20, Union City Police conducted a decoy program. These periodic operations serve as an effective tool to measure retailer compliance with State Laws that make it illegal to sell or provide tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. As a part of this survey, underage decoys visited approximately twenty tobacco retail establishments to purchase tobacco products. These retailers were selected at random throughout Union City. If a merchant sold tobacco products to the minor, appropriate enforcement action was taken immediately. A violation of this section of law is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $200 for the first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for the third offense. Two Union City retail businesses were cited for furnishing tobacco products to a minor. In addition to the citation, a letter is sent to management notifying them of the violation. In addition to decoy stings, the Union City Police Department will coordinate efforts in upcoming months to further educate local tobacco retailers regarding tobacco sales to minors.