[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Township of Monroe
7-6-94 by Ord. No. 0-7-94-017. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
Chapter 23 of the Township Code is hereby established and entitled "Cigarette Vending Machines Prohibited."
A.
It shall be unlawful to sell tobacco to a person under 18 years of
age.
B.
Sign requirements. The following six inch by eight inch (6" x 8")
sign shall be posted in a conspicuous place near each cash register
in all retail establishments which sell tobacco products:
"SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IS PROHIBITED
BY LAW. Legal proof of age must be shown. A person who sells or offers
to sell a tobacco product to a person under 18 years of age may be
prosecuted in accordance with state and local ordinances."
It shall be unlawful for a tobacco retailer to sell or permit
to be sold tobacco to any individual without requesting and examining
identification from the purchaser positively establishing the purchaser's
age as 18 years or greater, unless the seller has some other conclusive
basis for determining the buyer is over the age of 18 years.
All tobacco vending machines and self-service cigarette displays
made unlawful by the terms of this chapter shall be removed within
30 days from the effective date of this chapter.
A.
Whenever the Health Officer, or his/her designee, reasonably believes
there exists a violation of this chapter, he/she may issue a summons
and complaint not later than 90 days after discovery of the alleged
violation. The complaint shall be written and shall state with reasonable
particularity the nature of the violation, including reference to
the section of this chapter alleged to have been violated. The complaint
shall be delivered or sent by certified mail to the alleged violator.
B.
The Health Officer, or his/her designee, or any other person charged
with enforcement of this chapter, after giving proper identification,
may inspect any matter, thing, premises, place, person, record, vehicle,
incident, or event as necessary.
C.
It shall be unlawful for any person to molest, willfully oppose,
verbally abuse or otherwise obstruct the Health Officer, or his/her
designee, who may request the assistance of the Monroe Township Police
Department or other peace officer when necessary to execute his or
her official duty in a manner prescribed by law.
D.
Citizens may bring complaints against violators of this chapter.
A.
Unless otherwise provided by law, statute or ordinance, any person
violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof, be subject to a fine of $250. Each day on which said violation
is permitted on the premises shall result in an additional fine.
B.
Each sale of tobacco to a minor shall constitute a separate violation.
