The Lowell Board of Health voted on Nov. 5 to suspend tobacco sales at three Lowell retail locations after compliance checks found sales to minors in August. Cesar, the board’s tobacco program director, presented the compliance-check results and recommended suspensions; the board voted unanimously to impose the penalties.

Cesar told the board that three establishments failed youth-compliance checks conducted Aug. 19, Aug. 25 and Aug. 29 and had been fined. ‘‘Each received a fine ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 for the offense,’’ he said, noting that one business had prior related violations in 2019 and 2022 and that permit applications require employees to check ID.

The board’s rulings:

- New World Gas, 710 Lakeview Ave.: The manager, Pradeep, apologized and said the employee who made the sale was distracted with deliveries. The board suspended the store’s tobacco permit for three days beginning Nov. 17 and reminded the manager that the premises must be tobacco-free during the suspension.

- Lazybones, 189 East Merrimack St.: No representative appeared. The board voted to suspend tobacco sales for three days beginning Nov. 17.

- Harry’s Food Mart Mobile (146 Middlesex St., mobile sales): Manager Amish Patel acknowledged the Aug. 29 sale and described steps taken since (retraining employees, implementing ID-scanner/LED reminder systems and prominent signage). Because the business had prior sales to minors within the relevant look‑back period, the board imposed a seven‑day consecutive suspension beginning Nov. 17 and warned that a third offense could trigger a longer suspension.

Board members said the actions are intended to uphold permit conditions that require ID checks and to protect minors. Cesar noted that most establishments are complying with ID checks but that repeat violations require progressive discipline. The board directed staff to send certified letters detailing the suspensions and compliance requirements.

Why it matters: Local enforcement of tobacco sales laws addresses youth access to age‑restricted products and enforces permit conditions. Retailers are responsible for training staff and maintaining procedures to verify age at point of sale.