The Evanston Police Department in partnership with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission announced they will be conducting Tobacco Compliance Checks during the next several months. The checks will be conducted at Tobacco Retail Establishments, which are licensed to sell tobacco products within the City limits.
The objectives of the checks are designed to reduce youth access to tobacco related products.
“Our goal is to detect and enforce violations associated with the illegal sale of tobacco related products to minors under the age of 18,” said the police department in a prepared statement.
The participating establishments will be provided with Tobacco Retailer Kits prior to implementing the enforcement component. The kits include a review of state minimum-age tobacco laws, required signage and training guides for their personnel. In addition, each tobacco retailer will receive three compliance checks.
Tobacco retailers within the entire program currently average over 90 percent compliance and Illinois is ranked 7th nationwide in tobacco retailer compliance rates.