Ottawa store could lose licence for selling cigarettes to teens
Last Updated: Monday, January 26, 2009 | 6:43 PM ET
CBC News
An Ottawa Hasty Market store that's been on probation for selling cigarettes to minors may soon have its licence to sell tobacco revoked — a first in the city.
The Hasty Market on Carling Avenue has been repeatedly caught selling tobacco products to minors, said Roger Chapman, a city enforcement supervisor.
The city's licensing committee will look at whether to permanently revoke the convenience store's right to sell cigarettes at a meeting next week. Licences are issued by the province, but compliance is overseen by the city.
"We took it as a serious issue — the fact that … [the merchant has] continued to ignore warnings and charges and continues to sell tobacco products to minors," Chapman said.
Last summer, the province temporarily suspended the store’s licence to sell tobacco products. But according to Chapman, the store still failed several "test shops" conducted by bylaw officers during the probationary period.
Those test shops led to charges being laid in provincial court, said Chapman. The merchant was convicted last week and charged a $15,000 fine.
"Yes, we’re cracking down on this," said Chapman.
In 2008, the city saw an increase in retailers selling to minors — a health risk Chapman says the city can’t ignore.
According to health officials, 80 per cent of adults who smoke started smoking as teens.
