Council orders $300 civil penalties for multiple businesses for selling tobacco to minors

The Waterloo City Council adopted a series of resolutions assessing $300 civil penalties for several retail establishments after administrative hearings found sales of tobacco to minors, the city attorney said during Monday27s meeting.

The penalties cover multiple outlets, including Star Mart (BP Fuel), Family Dollar, several Casey27s General Store locations, two R Smoke Plus stores, Primark number 5, and Kingstar. The council opened and closed public hearings on the assessments and then adopted resolutions assessing the penalties by roll-call vote.

City staff reported that the establishments were given notice and the hearings were held; no representatives appeared to contest the assessments during the council hearing. The penalties are civil assessments of $300 per establishment for the offense listed as sale of tobacco to a minor.

Council adopted the assessments and directed staff to file and process the orders for collection consistent with city code.