Minn. soda shop rebuked for stocking candy smokes

[December 27, 2012]  ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Owners of an old-school soda shop in St. Paul, Minn., are being warned to kick the habit and stop stocking novelty candy cigarettes.

City inspectors threatened a misdemeanor citation and $500 fine if Lynden's soda fountain is caught selling the fake smokes again. The Star Tribune reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/RiCHiP) that the offering violated an ordinance barring the sale of candy smokes and cartoon character lighters. A city spokesman says the warning came after inspectors received and looked into a complaint about the presence of the tobacco-themed products. The ordinance was enacted to discourage youngsters from picking up a real smoking habit. Shop owner Tobi Lynden says the white candy sticks with the red tips were her best-selling candy item, but she pulled them to avoid running afoul of the ordinance. ___ Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com/ [Associated Press] Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.