Multnomah County adopted new rules for tobacco licenses this week.
Stores that sell tobacco will have to apply for a license starting July 1.
Whether a shop is a "mom and pop affair," or a quarter of a million square foot Walmart, the new tobacco license costs $580.
The money pays for Multnomah County inspectors to visit stores and make sure they’re not selling to minors. Shops are meant to check the IDs of any customer appearing to be younger than 27.
Multnomah County director Tricia Tillman called it a major public health victory.
“I think in 2012 it was one-in-four retailers sold to children and in 2014, it was almost one-in-three. So we know that retailers are not adhering to the law that protects children,” she said.
No county general fund money will be used to run the program, just like the restaurant inspection program.
Enforcement doesn’t start until January 1.
