Underage Juveniles Buying Tobacco

11/15/2013

On November 13, 2013, deputies from the South Los Angeles Station/Lawndale Service Center conducted an operation to help prevent underage tobacco use. Deputies sent 16 and 14 year old juveniles into businesses that sold tobacco products to ascertain if they would sell tobacco to the underage juveniles. California law indicates that no one under the age of 18 years old can legally purchase tobacco products. Four businesses sold tobacco products to the underage juveniles. The businesses were issued citations and will have to appear in court for the violations.

The purpose of the operation was to ensure that local establishments are complying with the law, thus making it more difficult for juveniles to smoke tobacco and endanger their health. The Sheriff's Department plans to conduct more operations similar to this to protect our children.



Lieutenant John Hocking

South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

(323) 820-6700

http://www.southla.lasd.org

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Contact Information: Lieutenant John Hocking - 310-219-2753,