Grant Funds APD Tobacco Decoy Operation

From Alameda Police Department

The Alameda Police Department recently completed multiple Tobacco Decoy Operations that were funded by a grant awarded by the Alameda County Health
Department Tobacco Control Program.

The focus of the operation was to ensure that retailers did not sell tobacco products to minors and were in compliance with the provisions of 308 (a) of the California Penal Code, which is the state law prohibiting the sales of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.

During the course of the operations, minor decoys visited approximately 47 tobacco retail businesses and attempted to purchase tobacco products. These businesses were selected at random throughout the City of Alameda.

Of the locations visited, two sold tobacco products to the minor decoy. In these cases, the appropriate enforcement action was taken which consisted of misdemeanor citations being issued for selling tobacco to a minor. 

Officers also conducted compliance checks in the Park Street business area, which includes restaurant/bars and stand alone bars, to ensure there was no smoking within 20 feet of main entrances and exits as well as inside the businesses.

During these checks, five citations were issued for violation of Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) 24-11.3.

Please forward any questions and/or report any location(s) you suspect of selling tobacco products to minors to Detective Michael Ortega of the Alameda Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit at (510) 337-8596.