24 retail stores cited for tobacco, alcohol sale to minors

In a move to address the issue of underage smoking and drinking on Saipan, government agencies held undercover operations that found several stores on Saipan selling tobacco and alcohol products to minors.

The Tobacco Synar Inspections and Alcohol Compliance Checks, conducted on April 6 and 7, resulted in the issuance of citations to 14 tobacco-licensed retail stores for selling tobacco products to minors in the form of a single stick to a pack.

These establishments were the New Times Store, Jhem’s Fruit & Vegetable Fresh Fish, Shanghai Pianli Store, Hongkong Store II, and Pretty Market in Garapan; Y.Z.L. Retail Store, Free Town Market, Advance Store, and New World Market II in San Antonio; Guma Taga at the airport; Blue Sky Supermarket in Chalan Piao; Li Lai Gang Market and D.K. Poker in Koblerville; and MRH Gift Shop in Marpi.

A total of 160 stores were covered by the undercover operation.

Ten of 46 alcohol-licensed stores were cited for alcohol sales to minors, with the cashiers involved in the sale arrested by law enforcement officers. These establishments were the U Save Supermarket and Publix Market in Susupe; QQ Store, Sunleader, and Oceans Mart in Garapan; San Roque Market; New World Market II in San Antonio; Payless in Chalan Kanoa; C.Y.C. in Kagman; and San Jose Mart.

Similar undercover operations will also be conducted on Tinian and Rota.

The inspections were in compliance with Public Law 11-75 and cover the undercover purchases of tobacco by youths under the age of 18 and alcohol by those below 21. Volunteer youth and adult inspectors and enforcement officers involved in the inspections and compliance checks received training on the purpose, background, and procedures for the undercover operations.

The undercover operations were a collaborative effort among various agencies, namely the Department of Public Safety; Department of Commerce’s Alcohol, Beverage and Tobacco Control Division; Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Public Health Division; and the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Task Force, which include the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Division of Youth Services, along with the trained youth and adult volunteer inspectors.

“These inspections and compliance checks contribute significantly to ensuring that licensed retailers are in compliance with such laws, that our youth are not afforded ‘easy’ access to tobacco and alcohol, and that we, as a community, are working to improve the safety and health of our young community,” said acting DPS Commissioner Ambrosio Ogumoro.

Ogumoro thanked all partner agencies, youth and adult volunteers involved in the enforcement of youth accessibility laws. “Let’s build a healthier CNMI for both our youth and community,” he added.