Three Cheyenne County businesses fail compliance checks

The Nebraska State Patrol conducted checks of underage tobacco compliance as part of the Tobacco Free in the Panhandles comprehensive plan to keep youth from starting to use tobacco products. Officers – with the assistance of youth under the age of 18 – checked 12 convenience stores, grocery stores and liquor stores throughout Cheyenne County in August. Of the 12 establishments, nine did not sell tobacco to the underage person. However, three businesses did sell them tobacco.

The businesses that failed were:

• Sonny’s Super Foods, 2020 10th St., Sidney – second fail in 12 months.

• Family Dollar, 1608 10th Ave, Sidney.

• Bag’s Bar, 940 Front St., Potter.

The following businesses and employees did not sell tobacco to the underage person: Git’n Spit, Shamrock BP Amoco, Two J’s too, Wal-Mart, Western C-Store, Wilkinson Sidney Conoco, Sapp Brothers, Smoker Friendly, all of Sidney, and Big V’s in Dalton.

“A failure rate of 25 percent raises concerns showing us there continues to be a need for education and training,” said Tabi Prochazka, Tobacco Free in the Panhandle coordinator. “Research shows that when communities consistently conduct compliance checks and keep failure rates below 10 percent, children in those communities are less likely to use tobacco products.”