Press Release

On Wednesday April 12, 2023, the Westport Police Department working with the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes.  The inspections were performed to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 21.

Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or electronic cigarette.  Free online training is available to anyone who would like to learn more at: www.cttobaccotraining.com.

A total of 12 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted.  Of this total, 0 (zero), establishments were found non-compliant with Connecticut General Statutes 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21).

Learn more at https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/tpep

Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS).  Non-compliant inspection results are referred to DRS for possible administrative action.

The following retailers were found to be compliant:

1. Merritt Country Store – 337 Main Street

2. Country Deli Store - 332 Wilton Road

3. Sunoco Food Mart - 240 Riverside Avenue

4. Westport Shell  – 322 Post Road East

5. Cumberland Farms – 690 Post Road East

6. Wheels - 786 Post Road East

7. Westport Cigar & Vape – 1248 Post Road East

8. Exxon Tiger Mart - 1510 Post Road East

9. Shell Food Mart - 1530 Post Road East

10. WP Convenience – 1761 Post Road East

11. Mohegan Smoke Shop - 1803 Post Road East

12. Mercury - 1830 Post Road East

WP Convenience was found to have a large number of illegal vape and THC products for sale.  Many of these items did not display the required QR codes and/or were packaged to look like candy.  

While anyone might mistake a copycat candy for the real thing, young children are especially vulnerable.  These colorful packages resemble popular candy and snack foods, but their contents often contain high doses of THC, which can cause marijuana toxicity, especially in unsuspecting children.  These items were seized in addition to a number of canisters of suspected marijuana.  The business does not have a dispensary license.  Additionally, Westport zoning regulation prohibits all sales of retail (non-medical) cannabis products in Westport, including Delta-9 THC and Delta-8.  This incident remains under investigation by the Westport Police Detective Bureau.