Tobacco compliance checks were performed in Fargo on Thursday, August 20. In total, 26 businesses were checked and 24 passed, resulting in a 92% compliance rate.
Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) conducts compliance checks several times each year, in partnership with law enforcement agencies in Fargo, West Fargo and Cass County. The purpose of the checks is to ensure licensed tobacco retailers are not selling any tobacco, nicotine or vaping products to individuals under the age of 21. FCPH appreciates the cooperation of retailers throughout the community who are committed to following the law and helping to prevent youth from accessing these products.
Following each round of compliance checks, FCPH community health educators conduct follow-up visits with retailers who were found to be out of compliance. These visits focus on providing education about applicable laws and ordinances related to the sale of tobacco products, including vaping devices. Retailers are encouraged to review these requirements regularly and incorporate them into employee training to support consistent compliance.
Fargo businesses that failed:
• Bottle Barn Liquors – 2515 University Dr. S. – first fail in one year
• Seema Middle Eastern Market – 855 45th St. S. – first fail in one year
Fargo businesses that passed:
• Al Noor Market - 1345 Main Ave.
• Brake Time - 1201 University Dr. N.
• Brake Time - 1833 University Dr. S.
• Brake Time - 3201 Broadway N.
• Casey's General Store - 2401 45th St. S.
• Casey's General Store - 2902 13th Ave. S.
• Cash Wise Foods / Little Dukes - 1401 33rd St. S.
• Cash Wise Liquor - 1414 34th St. S.
• Circle K - 101 University Dr. N.
• Family Fare - 724 University Dr. N.
• Hornbacher's - 4101 13th Ave. S.
• Mellow Mood Vape and Tobacco - 1414 12th Ave. N.
• Petro Serve USA - 1340 34th St. S.
• Petro Serve USA - 4440 9th Ave. S.
• Petro Serve USA - 2921 Broadway N.
• Petro Serve USA - 2110 University Dr. S.
• Puffs and Tobacco - 68 Broadway N.
• Royal Liquors - 4101 13th Ave. S.
• Simy's Bottle Shop - 3838 Main Ave.
• Smokes 4 Less - 702 University Dr. N.
• Smokes 4 Less - 1013 45th St. S.
• Tobacco City - 4301 13th Ave. S.
• Tobacco City - 5680 23rd Ave. S.
• Walgreens - 4201 13th Ave. S.
Penalties in Fargo:
• The first failure in a one-year time period – one-year probation and a $500 administrative fee
• The second failure in a one-year time period – three-day suspension of the tobacco license and a $500 administrative fee
• Third failure in a one-year time period – ten-day suspension of the tobacco license and a $500 administrative fee