The Coalition, Inc. has partnered with the Angelina County Sheriff's Department as well as the Polk County Sheriff’s Department in an effort to prevent and reduce the harmful use of tobacco products in rural areas like East Texas, where tobacco-related health problems are more prevalent.

Officials with both departments targeted area businesses that sell tobacco. The age limit to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is now 21, per the new guidelines from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

In Polk County, out of the 69 attempts done in June and August, 9 citations were issued to the following businesses that sold tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.

  • Veterans Mart on 1809 N Washington Ave in Livingston;
  • HEB Food Store #339 on 1509 W Church St in Livingston;
  • 7 Eleven Convenience Store #41 on 1605 W Church St in Livingston;
  • Dollar General Store #6241 on 1249 W Church St in Livingston;
  • La Petite Market on 14506 US Hwy 190 W in Onalaska;
  • Old House Liquor on 14140 US Highway 190 W in Onalaska;
  • Star Korner 2 on 602 Pan American Dr in Livingston;
  • 7 Eleven Convenience Store #41 on 1605 W Church St in Livingston;
  • Livingston Food Mart on 1600 W Church St in Livingston.

In Angelina County, out of the 137 attempts done in June, July and August, 12 citations were issued to the following businesses that sold tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.

  • Dollar General Store #14852 on 1401 Kurth Dr in Lufkin;
  • Big’s 3850 on 3019 John Reddit Dr in Lufkin;
  • Just Smoke Vape and Smoke Center on 210 N Temple Dr, Ste A in Diboll;
  • Just Stop on 605 N Temple Dr in Diboll;
  • Dollar General Store #21692 on 6953 US Hwy 69 S in Lufkin;
  • Big’s 3817 on 3122 Atkinson Dr in Lufkin;
  • Uday #29 on 3008 Atkinson Dr in Lufkin;
  • Big’s 3806 on 1902 W Frank Ave in Lufkin;
  • Dollar General Store #692 on 522 S Chestnut #C in Lufkin;
  • Guru Trading on 2215 E Denman in Lufkin;
  • On the Road #101 on 1001 E Denman in Lufkin;
  • Brookshire Brothers #5 on 816 N Timberland in Lufkin.

The Coalition commends those businesses who did not sell tobacco products to minors in our community. The Coalition and the sheriff departments of Angelina County and Polk County thank all of these stores for protecting the youth of Angelina County from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine.

For a complete list of those businesses that were under compliance, you can visit The Coalition’s Facebook page.

 

Best Country Albums of 2021 - Critic's Picks

This list of the best country albums of 2021 was curated by Taste of Country staff, with help from fans and with consideration of industry acclaim and mainstream accessibility.

The top album of the year is a traditional country record that makes subtle efforts to include more progressive-minded fans. Elsewhere, find projects from a dynamic mix of artists and and visionaries.

More From Newstalk 860