THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022 Page 3 Local businesses fined for selling tobacco to minors By Adam Swift E ight Revere businesses have been fi ned for selling tobacco products to minors. Under a new state law, the businesses have been fi ned $1,000 and will have their tobacco sales licenses suspended for three days later in May. The fi nes and suspensions are the new penalties for a fi rst off ense for selling to minors. The eight businesses that were found to sell to minors without asking for an ID by the Six City Tobacco Initiative are Shirley Ave. Variety at 65 Shirley Ave., Oak Island Convenience at 831 North Shore Rd., Convenience Mart at 270 Broadway, GasCo at 520 Broadway, Battambang Market at 120 Shirley Ave., ABC at 170 Revere St., Anthony’s Supermarket at 760 Broadway, and Joe’s Kwik Mart at 41 Lee Burbank Hwy. “Recently, I did a compliance check in Revere using a 17-yearold girl and a 16-year-old boy, and there were several violations found at the time where the young person, especially the boy, was not asked for any identifi cation,” said Bonny Carroll, director of the grant-funded Six City Tobacco Initiative. Carroll said the young people who take part in the tobacco operations are trained, and not allowed to lie about their age or if they have an ID if they are asked. Prior to the new state law, the maximum fi ne faced by retailers for selling tobacco to underage customers was $300. “Most retailers had gotten used to that,” said Carroll. Under the new law, the fi nes are much heftier, starting with the $1,000 and three-day suspension for fi rst off enses. Second violations carry a $2,000 fi ne and a seven-day suspension and third violations carry a $5,000 fi ne and a 30-day suspension. Battambang Market and GasBilly Tse’s 441 Revere St., Revere (781) 286-2882 www.Billytserevere.com Co unsuccessfully appealed their fi nes at the Thursday, April 28 meeting of the Board of Health. “The Board of Health is responsible under the new law to uphold the state’s decision on this and not lower the amount of the fi ne or the suspension,” said Carroll. “That means if the retailer can provide evidence that a protocol was not done correctly by me or my staff , then there would be a case for negotiating the lowering of the fi ne and/or the suspension. But unless that is the case, then the board is charged by the state to uphold that cease and desist order with that amount of the fi ne.” Board of Health Chair Drew Bunker said he understood that the fines are fairly severe for small businesses. “Obviously, it is a very hefty fi ne and we don’t want anyone to have to pay that or deal with that, but we are forced by the law in terms of the fi ne, and it’s frustrating, because obviously we understand you are all business owners and it is a diffi cult time,” said Bunker. “My worry is that if we don’t follow this law, then we can get in trouble with the District Attorney’s Offi ce.” Lauren Buck, the city’s public health director, said there is some reasoning for the seemingly punitive fines. “From a healthcare perspective, the rationale behind it is there are punitive or harsh laws because we want to prevent children and youth from picking up smoking because we know how harmful it is,” said Buck. “There is a statistic from the American Lung Association that says that every day, almost 2,500 children under 18 try their fi rst cigarette, and more than 400 of them will become new, regular daily smokers, and half of them will die from smoking. That’s the ‘why’ behind the sometimes punitivefeeling laws.” Bike to the Sea to meet May 11 A ll are welcome to come to a meeting of Bike to the Sea to hear about plans to connect the Northern Strand Community Trail to the Minuteman Bikeway. The meeting is being held on Wednesday, May 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 3 Amigos Bar & Grill (375 Main St. in Malden Square). Bike to the Sea Board Member Patrick Bibbins will talk about connecting the trails north and west of Boston. The Minuteman Bikeway runs from the Cambridge/Arlington line to Bedford. The Northern Strand Community Trail runs from Everett through Malden, Revere, Saugus and Lynn. For more information or to RSVP, email Jay Cobau at jay@ biketothesea.org or text/call: 339-224-2448. Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM; Friday & Saturday, 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM • Order Online: www.order.mealkeyway.com • Reservations: Billytserevere.com Sushi Chef David, formerly of Super Fusion in Boston with Billy Tse’s owner, Xiang Wang at the brand new Sushi bar. New Sushi Bar Now Open! Sushi Specials: Sushi Cupcake 4 pcs - $18 / 8 pcs- $35 Broiled fresh lobster, sea scallop, pressed sushi rice Hatata Kaiyaki $10.95 Sea scallop, crab meat, and shrimp. Tobiko baked in spicy mayo. Topped of scallop shell. Spicy Salmon Tartar $9.95 Salmon, Avo, Tobiko, Tempura flakes. Spicy mayo mix topped with taro chip. Sea Spoon (4 spoon) $18.95 Uni, Ikura, quail eggs, scallion and Panzu sauce. n We Sell Cigars & Cigar Accessories R.Y.O. TOBACCO ---------TUBES CIGAR SMOKERS DELIGHT! 15 Handmade Churchill Size Cigars including a Cohiba - Long wrapped $43.95 Celebrating our 50th Year! HUMIDOR SPECIAL! HUMIDOR SPECIAL! $99.95 Complete! Reg. 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