Majority of businesses pass recent tobacco compliance checks

Tobacco compliance checks were recently performed in Fargo on February 20 and in West Fargo on February 24.  In Fargo, sixty-four businesses were checked and all passed, resulting in a 100% success rate.  In West Fargo, fourteen businesses were checked and thirteen passed, resulting in a 93% pass rate.

Fargo Cass Public Health appreciates the cooperation of local tobacco retailers in ensuring tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are not being sold to minors. Licensed tobacco retailers are encouraged to regularly review city ordinances and state laws related to sale of tobacco products and to include this important information in training for new employees.

West Fargo businesses that failed:

• Casey’s General Store, 524 Sheyenne Street, West Fargo– first fail in one year

Penalties in West Fargo:

• The first violation – written warning including one-year probation
• The second failure during probationary period – three-day suspension of the tobacco license​
• The third failure during probationary period – ten-day suspension of the tobacco license​
• Subsequent violations during probationary period – 30-day suspension of the tobacco license

Penalties in Fargo:

• The first failure in a one-year time period – one-year probation and a $500 administrative fee​
• The second failure in a one-year time period – three-day suspension of the tobacco license and a $500 administrative fee​
• The third failure in a one-year time period – ten-day suspension of the tobacco license and a $500 administrative fee