LEESBURG, Va. — Police have charged two clerks in Leesburg with selling tobacco products to customers under the age of 21.
The charges come after the Leesburg Police Department Special Investigations Unit conducted an underage vaping operation at four local tobacco stores Thursday.
Investigators claim the following locations sold to underage buyers:
- Tobacco Hut (356 East Market Street)
- Leesburg Tobacco & Vape (707 East Market Street, Suite G)
Police say the clerks were each issued a summons for violating the state law that prohibits the purchase, possession, and sale of tobacco products, nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine products, and hemp products intended for smoking to persons under 21 years of age. A violation is punishable by a civil fine.
“Operations like these send a clear message to retail establishments in town, that they are responsible for training their staff to properly follow the law to ensure that age restricted products are only sold to those of legal age,” advised Leesburg Police Captain David Smith. “For this reason, the Leesburg Police Department periodically conducts operations relating to the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages to underage persons.”
The Leesburg Police Department School Resource Officer Unit in partnership with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office provides education on the dangers of vaping through the D.A.R.E. program to elementary and middle school students.
Guardians seeking additional information and resources are encouraged to talk with their child’s school resource officer.
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