Nine Iowa City businesses fail tobacco checks

IOWA CITY - Nine Iowa City businesses failed tobacco compliance checks conducted this month.

Between Dec. 5-14, Iowa City police conducted compliance checks at 54 businesses licensed to sell tobacco, alternative nicotine or vapor products. Underage people working with plainclothes officers attempted to illegally purchase tobacco products at these locations.

Police said 45 businesses refused to sell to the underage buyers. The businesses that sold to the juveniles were:

- Hartig Drug, 701 Mormon Trek Blvd.

- Almost Paradise, 355 S. Linn St.

- Smokin' Joes, 1901 Broadway St.

- Casey's General Store, 1904 Broadway St.

- Deli Mart, 1920 Lower Muscatine Road

- El Paso Tacqueria and Latin Market, 601 Hollywood Blvd.

- Kum & Go, 323 E. Burlington St.

- Suburban BP, 370 Scott Court

- Joe's Place, 115 Iowa Ave.

The employees who sold the tobacco face a simple misdemeanor and a $195 fine. Civil penalties could also be levied against the businesses, police said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com