In an effort to reduce tobacco use by teens, the Gurnee Police Department participates in the Kids Can’t Buy ‘Em Here Program. This is a statewide program that targets retailers that violate the law by selling tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.

The Gurnee Police Department recently conducted tobacco ordinance compliance checks from November 8-22, 2010. To conduct the compliance check, the police department enlisted the assistance of a 16 year old junior student from Zion-Benton High School. The under age student went to 27 establishments within the village and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The transactions are monitored by plain clothed officers. There was one sale at the Gateway News Stand inside Gurnee Mills Mall. That sale took place on November 22, 2010. The employee that made the sale was issued a citation for unlawful tobacco sales to a minor in violation of the Gurnee Municipal Code. The court date was set for December 23, 2010.

Overall there was a compliance rate of 96% for the 27 businesses that were checked. The Gurnee Police Department will continue to conduct periodic compliance checks throughout Gurnee to make sure tobacco products are not readily available to minors.