Store owner concerned after underage tobacco sale in Blans, Denmark

In the small Southern Danish town of Blans, the local store, Min Købmand, has recently come under scrutiny after a young undercover buyer attempted to purchase cigarettes despite being underage. Pia Mulvad, a 54-year-old employee at the store, unwittingly sold a pack of cigarettes to the 16-year-old. Shocked by the incident, she recalled thinking that the buyer looked much older and did not initially suspect he was underage.

This incident is part of a larger trend; in the past month, 195 out of 609 inspections across Denmark resulted in illegal sales of alcohol or tobacco to minors. The young buyer was part of a campaign by the Danish Safety Authority to enforce age restrictions on such products.

After the incident, Mulvad felt deeply affected and had to leave work, describing the experience as dreadful and akin to feeling criminal. The store’s owner, Tina Nielsen, who was on vacation during the inspection, reviewed surveillance footage and expressed disbelief that her employee did not ask for ID, noting that the buyer appeared to be older than 18.

Following the experience, Mulvad has become more vigilant, asking customers for ID more frequently. However, Nielsen is concerned that this enforcement approach by authorities is problematic, suggesting that it puts undue stress on employees and affects customer relationships in their small community.

Now, the store awaits a potential fine from the authorities, which could reach up to 25,000 kroner. Nielsen worries this penalty could threaten the store’s viability and their ability to maintain employee hours. Both she and Mulvad emphasize the importance of balancing compliance with the realities of running a small business.