As public concern about teenage use of tobacco has increased over the years, so has the focus on how to combat this issue. More emphasis has been, and is being placed on ensuring that those individuals who are purchasing and consuming tobacco are of legal age.
As a result, the State of Minnesota passed legislation requiring tobacco compliance checks at each point of sale location within each community. It is the responsibility of each individual community or appropriate Sheriff's Department to conduct these checks.
The Buffalo Police Department has been conducting these compliance checks at our local establishments for several years. While there have been some instances where violations have occurred, the number of violations has been decreasing and understanding of the problem has increased.