Lawrence Board of Health suspends tobacco permits at three stores, waives fine at fourth

Board of Health · Meeting of February 7, 2026

Lawrence Board of Health suspends tobacco sales permits at three city stores after undercover compliance checks caught an 18-year-old decoy buying cigarettes or cigars unchallenged. Dr. Joel Gorn and Steven H.

Gill voted unanimously to impose one-day suspensions on AAD Supermarket at 513 Hampshire Street, Mayo Supermarket at 187 Lawrence Street, and Papito Market at 130 Franklin Street, all effective February 19, 2026 — each store had already paid a $1,000 first-offense fine. A fourth establishment, A&F Hookah Supplies at 313 Broadway, avoided a fine entirely after the board voted to waive the $1,000 penalty on the condition that the owner meet with tobacco enforcement officer Cesar within 30 days; the store had not sold to the minor but was found stocking flavored tobacco, banned blunt wraps, and prohibited hookah flavor tips. Gorn said he was "not inclined to give you a fine or a suspension" where no sale to a minor occurred, but warned that a second appearance before the board "might be different."

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Source: the Board of Health meeting of February 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.