Ashland Votes To Suspends Retailer’s Tobacco License For 2 Weeks

ASHLAND – With two tobacco violations in a calendar year, the Ashland Board of Health voted unanimously to suspend the tobacco license of Lucky Farms for 2 weeks.

The 1 West Union Street establishment will lose its tobacco license for 14 days effective December 21. The owner Piyush Patel had requested a delay until January 1 to serve the suspension, but the Board of Health disagreed.

Lucky Farms sold cigarettes to a minor on march 7 and again on November 21, 2020.

Patel said the first sale to a minor in March was by an employee, but that he sold the cigarettes himself in November.

Patel apologized for two violations in the same year,

He told the Board of Health he is in the process of buying a scanner which will scan the ID, to prevent this type of violation again.

Board of Health Vice Chair Chris Daniele said it was disappointing when the business owner sells rather than an employee

Board member  Koduvayur Narayana said during the pandemic employees may request a customer remove their mask to match face with the ID.