Peninsula Merchants Cited for Selling Tobacco to Minors

Fourteen merchants in San Mateo County were cited for selling tobacco products to minors over the weekend in a large-scale north county sting, sheriff's officials said.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office conducted the sting using minor decoys at 161 locations in Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno and Millbrae, sheriff's spokeswoman Rebecca Rosenblatt said.

The operation targeted gas stations, pharmacies and liquor stores in each city, she said. In most cases, clerks checked identification and did not sell tobacco to the decoy, Rosenblatt said.

Those who did received a misdemeanor citation that requires payment of a fine and further monitoring of the business, she said.

Rosenblatt said regular enforcement of tobacco laws has contributed to an overall decline in tobacco sales to minors in San Mateo County.

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