After a long appeal process, a local cigarette store has been suspended by city officials from selling tobacco products for 30 days.  The suspension prompted owners to close down during the 30 day suspension period.

On April 28, 2007, during a Sacramento Police Department Tobacco Sting Operation, Discount Cigarettes (located at 6414 Mack Road) was cited for selling tobacco products to a minor.  On May 1, 2007, Sacramento City Code Enforcement served the owner of the store with notice of a 30-day suspension for the violation.  The owner appealed the suspension, triggering a long and protracted appeal process that ultimately landed the case in the Third District Court of Appeals.

On June 10, 2010, the owner of the store exhausted all of his appeals and ultimately lost.  On June 21, 2010, the business began serving its 30 day suspension on its license to sell tobacco products.  The suspension will expire on July 21, 2010.

The City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Police Department will not tolerate the sale of tobacco products to children and will periodically conduct tobacco sting operations. The sting operations utilize minor decoys as potential customers who will attempt to purchase tobacco products from retailers. 

Retailers are encouraged to monitor their store tobacco sales practices to safeguard against unlawful sales to minors.