Photo courtesy of the City of McKenzie
McKenzie, Tenn.–During the month of May, 2023, Investigators with the McKenzie Police Department conducted compliance checks at multiple locations that sold tobacco and alcohol products throughout the City of McKenzie. During this time, a 19 year-old confidential informant attempted to buy tobacco and alcohol products while wearing an audio and video recording device under the direct supervision of the McKenzie Police Department. The results of these compliance checks are as follows:
Tobacco products:
Maverick 42, 15300 Highland Drive – PASSED
Corner Store Market, 15815 Highland Drive – PASSED
Fast Fuel, 25235 TN Hwy 22 – PASSED
Hometown Vape Lounge, 2356 Cedar Street – FAILED
Puff Pro Smoke Shop, 15770 Highland Drive – FAILED
Exxon, 17525 Highland Drive – FAILED
Casey’s, 16125 Highland Drive – FAILED
Eagle Food Mart/BP, 15980 Highland Drive – FAILED
Pocket’s, 1825 Cedar Street – FAILED
Little General, 528 W. Magnolia Avenue – FAILED
7 out of 10 stores failed to comply with TN State law (TCA 39-17-1504, Sale to Underage Persons Unlawful) by selling tobacco products to a person under the age of 21. The person responsible for selling to the minor at each location was later cited into Carroll County General Sessions Court and required to be booked on the charge at the Carroll County Jail.
Alcohol products:
Maverick 42, 15300 Highland Drive – PASSED
Corner Store Market, 15815 Highland Drive – PASSED
Fast Fuel, 25235 TN Hwy 22 – PASSED
79 Spirits & Wine, 17833 Highland Drive -PASSED
City Wine & Liquor, 15846 Highland Drive -PASSED
Exxon, 17525 Highland Drive -PASSED
Casey’s, 16125 Highland Drive -PASSED
Eagle Food Mart/BP, 15980 Highland Drive -PASSED
Pocket’s, 1825 Cedar Street -PASSED
Little General, 528 W. Magnolia Avenue – FAILED
1 out of 10 stores failed to comply with TN State law (TCA 57-5-301, Sales to minors prohibited) by selling alcoholic beverages to a person under the age of 21. The person responsible for selling alcohol to the minor was later cited into Carroll County General Sessions Court and required to be booked on the charge at the Carroll County Jail.
“The goal of the compliance checks is to protect our youths from underage drinking and to discourage them from partaking in tobacco products,” according to Chief White. The compliance checks are also being conducted to ensure that businesses within the City of McKenzie are following the rules, otherwise known as Tennessee State Laws, when it comes to the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors.
White said, “The McKenzie Police Department is determined to raise awareness to these laws, and will ensure that all persons responsible for selling to minors will be held accountable for doing so before a judge in Carroll County.” Tobacco and alcohol compliance checks will be conducted on a regular basis.
“I am thankful for the leadership of Chief White and the entire McKenzie Police Department,” Mayor Ryan Griffin said, “myself along with Chief White and other city leadership’s goal is to make McKenzie better than we were the day before.”