A Baltimore County lawmaker is proposing a hefty civil fine for store owners caught selling tobacco products without checking for identification.
Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, a Pikesville Democrat, introduced a bill this week that would create a civil penalty system to crack down on underage smoking. Kamenetz said enforcement of age restrictions on tobacco sales, now subject to criminal penalties, isn?t a top priority for police.
“I?m not looking for punishment, I?m looking for compliance,” Kamenetz said. “I?m hoping once an owner gets burned, so to speak, they will be more vigilant in checking for identification.”
Under his proposal, the county?s health department would administer the program with the help of code enforcement officers, who could conduct stings at stores, Kamenetz said. First-time offenders would receive a $300 fine, and subsequent violations would incur a $500 fine.
Mike Gimbel, the county?s former drug czar and director of substance abuse education at Sheppard Pratt Health System, said store owners are rarely prosecuted in Baltimore County for selling tobacco to minors.
“I agree it?s an issue, and I am glad to see (Kamenetz) come forward with something, but I get nervous when I see legal issues taken out of the police department because they?re too busy,” Gimbel said.
