Lawrence Board of Health orders one-day suspensions, waives some fines pending retailer meetings

The Lawrence City Board of Health on Feb. 3 approved one-day suspensions of tobacco sales permits for three retail locations and placed at least one contested fine on conditional continuance after a presentation by enforcement staff.

Cesar, the board’s tobacco compliance presenter, told the panel that compliance checks in October found underage sales and prohibited flavored products at multiple stores in Lawrence. "He was not asked for ID," Cesar said of the decoy who purchased a pack; he reported the store was issued a first-offense $1,000 fine and paid it. Based on that and similar findings, a board member moved to suspend the tobacco permit for A and E Supermarket for one business day beginning at opening on Feb. 19, 2026; the motion was seconded and approved.

Similar motions carried for Melo Supermarket at 187 Lawrence Street and Pappita Market at 130 Franklin Street after Cesar reported the same decoy purchased tobacco products during October checks. Cesar said each location had been cited as a first offense and had paid fines. (A numeric amount recorded in the transcript for Pappita Market appears unusually large and is flagged below as a possible transcription error; the board’s statements described these as first-offense fines.)

A fourth inspection involved A & F Hookah Supplies at 313 Broadway, where Cesar said inspectors found flavored pouches, flavor enhancers and other products that he described as prohibited under city regulation. The store representative disputed the enforcement findings and presented letters from manufacturers asserting the products were not flavored. Cesar told the board that, by practice, industry letters are submitted but enforcement also relies on smell testing and prior laboratory reviews; he cited prior smell tests conducted by other municipal health departments.

Board members discussed differences between adult-only tobacco stores and typical convenience stores and emphasized the higher compliance standards expected of adult-only retailers. Several board members signaled a preference for education and remediation for newer businesses. One board member moved to waive the fine in at least one contested case but continue the matter on the condition that the proprietor meet with Cesar within 30 days; members approved the continuance and warned that the $1,000 fine would be reinstated if the required meeting did not occur.

The board did not suspend A & F Hookah Supplies at the meeting; the owner remained on record as disputing the facts and as having not paid the cited fine. Board members instructed staff to follow up, to document training and to verify whether products on display meet the city's flavor prohibition.

The board’s actions formalized enforcement steps for multiple retailers and signaled an approach that combines fines and short suspensions with opportunities for compliance counseling. Officials said they will monitor whether proprietors meet with enforcement staff within the 30-day window and will reinstate fines or pursue further sanctions if retailers fail to comply.

Actions taken at the meeting are administrative enforcement measures of the Lawrence City Board of Health and will be reflected in follow-up letters to the affected businesses.