By Shari Kaplan
The Los Gatos Police Department is embarking upon its first Tobacco Decoy Program, an effort to discourage the unlawful sale of tobacco and tobacco products to minors that enlists the help of--appropriately enough--local youth under the age of 18.
Last week, LGPD Chief Larry Todd mailed letters to all businesses in Los Gatos licensed to sell tobacco products on their premises. The letters advised business owners to encourage employees' diligence in checking the identification of possible underage buyers.
The letters also warned that the police department will soon be sending minors who will attempt to buy tobacco products into their establishments; a supervising officer will remain nearby.
"By sending letters out, we want to give merchants a chance to comply," said LGPD Capt. Jeff Miller, who explained that the purpose of the sting operation is not to apprehend lawbreakers as much as to reduce the sales and use of tobacco products by young people.
"Our aim is education and prevention; it's not just enforcement. The police department is taking a stand against substance abuse, and this is one of the components of that," Miller added.
Employees allowing unlawful purchases without checking the minors for identification will be cited by police, and an incident report will be forwarded to the district attorney's office for prosecution.
According to Section 308(a) of the California Penal Code, a person or business found guilty of selling any smoking products to minors is subject to either criminal action on a misdemeanor charge or civil action and fines issued by a city attorney, county counsel or district attorney.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, March 13, 1996.
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