13 Malden tobacco vendors sold to minors

Of 20 stores in Malden that sell both tobacco and alcohol, 13 sold the smoking products to minors in a recent citywide test, according to the office of Mayor Gary Christenson. The annual inspection was conducted by the Mystic Valley Tobacco Alcohol Program, a state-funded group, that verifies merchants do not sell to minors. "This is what can happen when important enforcement and education programs are cut.

Thankfully the Department of Public Health has been able to fund and staff the Tobacco Control Coordinator position that is so vital to education of the merchants and citizens," said Chris Webb, director of the Board of Health, in a statement. "Increased education and enforcement results will be reviewed by the Board of Health and continued non-compliance will result in permit suspension or revocation."