The Coalition, Inc. has partnered with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department in an effort to prevent and reduce the harmful use of tobacco products in rural areas like East Texas, where tobacco-related health problems are more prevalent.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Department targeted area businesses that sell tobacco. The age limit to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is now 21, per the new guidelines from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Out of the 69 attempts done in June and August, 9 citations were issued to the following businesses that sold tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.
The businesses that sold tobacco products to minors include:
· Veterans Mart on 1809 N Washington Ave in Livingston;
· HEB Food Store #339 on 1509 W Church St in Livingston;
· 7 Eleven Convenience Store #41 on 1605 W Church St in Livingston;
· Dollar General Store #6241 on 1249 W Church St in Livingston;
· La Petite Market on 14506 US Hwy 190 W in Onalaska;
· Old House Liquor on 14140 US Highway 190 W in Onalaska;
· Star Korner 2 on 602 Pan American Dr in Livingston;
· 7 Eleven Convenience Store #41 on 1605 W Church St in Livingston;
· Livingston Food Mart on 1600 W Church St in Livingston.
We commend those businesses who did not sell tobacco products to minors in our community. The Coalition and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department thank all of these stores for protecting the youth of Polk County from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine. For a complete list of those businesses that were under compliance, please visit The Coalition’s Facebook page @thecoalition936 or contact The Coalition at (936) 634-9308 for more information.