Affirming Tobacco License Violation and Administrative Penalty

In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 461.12, subd. 5, and Ramsey City Code § 26-757, the Ramsey Police Department conducts unannounced tobacco compliance checks at licensed tobacco retailers within the City.

On August 14, 2026, the Ramsey Police Department conducted 17 tobacco compliance checks at licensed businesses throughout Ramsey. During a compliance check at Coborn's Little Dukes, an employee sold a tobacco product to a person under the age of 21. The buyer was a 17-year-old male who presented his own vertically oriented Minnesota driver's license. The clerk reviewed the identification and still completed the sale. The employee was issued a citation for the illegal sale. See the attached police report for further details.

Ramsey City Code § 26-753(1) prohibits the sale of tobacco or tobacco-related products to a person under the age of 21. City Code § 26-756 provides that a tobacco license holder is responsible for the actions of its employees regarding tobacco sales on the licensed premises, and a sale by an employee is considered a sale by the license holder.

This is the licensee’s first tobacco license violation within the past 36 months. Pursuant to Ramsey City Code § 26-751(b)(1) and Minn. Stat. § 461.12, subd. 2, the required administrative penalty for a first violation is $300.

The licensee was provided written notice of the alleged violation and its right to request a hearing before the Ramsey City Council. The licensee later notified the Police Department that it does not contest the violation and will not request a hearing.

There are six supporting documents attached to this case.

On August 26th, 2026, a Notice of Violation of Tobacco License and Right to Request Hearing was sent via USPS certified mail to the license holder at its registered business address. The notice informed the licensee of the alleged violation, the $300 administrative penalty for a first violation, and its right to request a hearing before the Ramsey City Council.

On September 1st, 2026, the licensee notified the Ramsey Police Department that it does not contest the violation, will not request a hearing, and will mail a check for the $300 administrative penalty.

Ramsey City Code § 26-752 gives the licensee the right to request a hearing regarding an alleged violation. The licensee has advised the City that it does not contest the violation and will not request a hearing. Therefore, no hearing is necessary.

Compliance checks are conducted using funds from the Police Department's general budget.

Staff recommends that the City Council affirm that a tobacco license violation occurred at Coborn's Little Dukes on August 14, 2026, and impose the required $300 administrative penalty for a first violation.

Motion to affirm that a tobacco sale violation to a person under the age of 21 occurred at Coborn's Little Dukes on August 14, 2026, and impose the required $300 administrative penalty pursuant to Ramsey City Code § 26-751(b)(1) and Minn. Stat. § 461.12, subd. 2.