Businesses and individuals who sell tobacco products to minors could face fines of up to $1,000 and be barred from selling cigarettes and other tobacco-related items under a bill being considered by the Baltimore County Council.
During a meeting Tuesday, First District Councilmen Tom Quirk said bill 13-15 would increase the first offense from $300 to $500, the second offense from $500 up to $1,000, and the third offense resulting in the suspension of tobacco sales along with a monetary fine.
The goal of the bill is to cut down on the number of minors using tobacco products.
Allison Frey, a drug and alcohol counselor at Towson University, said in an interview that the bill could be unfair to sellers who might be fooled by the authenticity of fake identifications. She said sellers will need to be educated about the bill’s requirements.
Quirk said the county will educate businesses involved in tobacco sales.
— Deion Broxton