The City of Ottawa's licensing committee has revoked a tobacco vendor's license for two years in a precedent-setting move, after the vendor ignored repeated warnings and continued to sell cigarettes to minors.
"We are pleased that the committee has made this decision because it sends a strong, clear message that store owners are not allowed to sell tobacco to kids in Ottawa. It's just plain wrong," said Susan Jones, the city's director of bylaw services.
The owner of the Hasty Market convenience store at 2361 Carling Ave. was charged several times for selling cigarettes to minors. Now, the ruling prevents the vendor from selling smokes to anyone for two years.
As a result, the convenience store will be under close supervision for the next six months.
"If we find violation of any laws, this individual could also lose the right to even operate a convenience store," Jones told CTV Ottawa.
The suspension is believed to be the longest penalty of its kind in Ontario.
