Trumbull officials back bill giving cops a say on smoke shop licensing
TRUMBULL — A new bill could put law enforcement officials in the driver's seat of the license renewal process for retailers suspected of illegally selling tobacco and other products across Connecticut.
Senate Bill 340 introduces an ordinance towns could adopt that requires tobacco dealers to notify their municipality chief about the application to renew their licenses and gives the chief up to 15 days after the notice to submit written comments to the Department of Revenue Services, which approves license renewals.
“As we get more and more of these businesses, there are definitely problems with them,” said State Rep. David Rutigliano of Trumbull. “We are hearing complaints from all over that not all, but there are some, that are up to illegal activity and there is a lot of nonsense going on.”
The bill was introduced in February and unanimously passed through the Public Safety and Security Committee on March 19.
Rutigliano said he would support the bill because of the freedom it gives towns to decide what they want to do.
“I think it's good legislation,” he said. “I'll support it because it's permissive, meaning a municipality may adopt these regulations; but they don't have to.”
The legislature is in the midst of Regular Legislative Session and the bill will now head over to the House and Senate for consideration. If passed, it would be effective on Oct. 1, 2024.
Trumbull's Health Director Lucienne Bango is hoping the bill will help crack down on illegal sales of tobacco and cannabis products in smoke shops throughout the state. She was one of about two dozen health and law enforcement officials to submit testimony in favor of the bill.
“A lot of these smoke shops you go in, they're selling tobacco products to those who are under 21 and they're also selling illegal products containing marijuana and all kinds of things,” Bango said. “This bill would make it such that the chief of police could revoke their license and shut them down.”
Trumbull Police Lt. Brian Weir said it makes sense for law enforcement to have a hand in the renewal process to protect the public from the damage that comes from these illegal sales.
“Smoke shops tend to be more business based, and may not see various negative factors they may create in their areas,” he said. “Members of law enforcement are designed to be focused on public safety, and deal with circumstances that negatively affect members of the community.”
Weir said giving the chief of police more authority over smoke shops would give the businesses more oversight, while still allowing them to operate legally.
Bango said smoke shops normally walk away with a fine after being caught making illegal sales. So revoking licenses for repeat offenders through this bill could change that, she said.