The Coalition Releases Minor Sting Results from Area Counties

The Coalition, Inc. has partnered with the sheriffs' departments from Angelina and Polk Counties in an effort to prevent and reduce the harmful use of tobacco products in rural areas like East Texas, where tobacco-related health problems are more prevalent.

Over the summer, the Angelina and Polk County Sheriff’s Departments targeted area businesses that sell tobacco. In Angelina County, out of the 96 businesses involved in the minor sting operation, only 4 sold tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.

The businesses that sold tobacco products to minors include:

• Lucky’s on 1707 N. John Reddit Drive in Lufkin;
• Big’s 3806 on 1902 W. Frank Avenue in Lufkin;
• Big’s 3822 on 3644 US Hwy 69 N. in Lufkin;
• 7 Star Food Mart on 811 Kurth Drive in Lufkin.

In Polk County, out of the 38 businesses involved in the minor sting operation, only 5 sold tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.

The businesses that sold tobacco products to minors include:

• O Lucky’s Food Mart #2 on 900 W. Church Street in Livingston;
• New Malones House of Beer Store on 14478 US Hwy 190 West in Onalaska;
• The Old House of Liquor on 14454 US Hwy 190 West in Onalaska;
• Sandy Food Mart on 11941 US Hwy 190 West in Livingston;
• Sun Mart #308 on 4727 US Hwy 59 South in Livingston.

The Coalition would like to commend those businesses who did not sell tobacco products to minors in our community.  For a complete list of those businesses that were under compliance please contact The Coalition at (936) 634-9308 for more information.

Effective Sept. 1, 2019, the 86th Legislature passed Senate Bill 21, which increased the legal age for a person from 18 to 21 for the sale, distribution, possession, purchase, consumption or receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes or tobacco products. Visit comptroller.texas.gov for more information.