Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement (TASE) inspections are conducted throughout the year to determine if retail tobacco outlets are in compliance with Federal, State and local laws regulating the sale of tobacco products to minors.
Random compliance checks are conducted by Health Department personnel and teenagers employed by the Department to determine if local tobacco merchants are complying with the law by not selling tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age.
Violations
Merchants who violate the law are liable to a civil penalty of $250 for the first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third and subsequent offenses. In addition, upon recommendation of the Health Department, the Division of Taxation may suspend or revoke the license of a retail tobacco dealer after a second violation.