Four SLO County businesses cited for selling tobacco to minors

Using underage “decoys,” San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputies cited four area business employees for selling tobacco to minors.

A total of 51 businesses were visited in the compliance checks that ended Wednesday as part of the San Luis Obispo County Health Agency’s Tobacco Control Program.

The underage decoy, under the supervision of sheriff’s deputies, entered businesses and attempted to purchase tobacco products. If a clerk sold to the decoy, he or she was issued a misdemeanor citation. The checks focused on businesses in the unincorporated communities of San Miguel, Santa Margarita, Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos, Avila Beach, Oceano and Nipomo.

Businesses that sold the products were: San Miguel Chevron at 998 K St. in San Miguel; Ragged Point Inn on Highway 1 in San Simeon; Shandon Market at 240 E. Centre St. in Shandon; and Nipomo Smoke Shop at 110 S. Mary St. in Nipomo.

Additionally, enforcement action was taken against two businesses that were found to be unlicensed: Los Berros Market at 2012 Los Berros Road in Arroyo Grande and Pier Liquor at 393 Pier Ave. in Oceano, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Four SLO County businesses cited for selling tobacco to minors."