DEERFIELD — The penalty for selling tobacco to minors is now much stiffer, as the Selectboard/Board of Health voted Wednesday evening to increase the town’s fines to match state regulations after three stores in town were sited for violations.

Health Agent Valerie Bird presented the new regulations, which feature higher penalties for each subsequent violation. The first incident now comes with a $1,000 fine.

“I know this is steep, but it’s geared to prevent the sales to children and those under 21,” Bird said, adding that she spoke with each of the six stores that sell tobacco products in town and they were in favor of the new regulations.

Following the first violation, a second one incurs a $2,000 fine. A third violation, as well as subsequent ones, brings a $5,000 fine. Each violation will also involve a public hearing, in which the Selectboard will hear the details of the alleged violation and then impose a suspension of tobacco sales.

The suspension period is up to the Selectboard’s discretion, but the first violation comes with a three-day suspension of tobacco sales, the second is a seven-day suspension and the third is a month-long suspension.

In November, the Selectboard initiated the conversation around upping its fines to match the state after the Elm Street Cumberland Farms, The Spirit Shoppe on South Main Street and the Neighbors gas station on Conway Road were all cited for selling cigarettes to a minor when the Pioneer Valley Tobacco Coalition conducted youth compliance checks on Oct. 17.

The town’s previous regulations, which were updated in 2017, dictated there was a $100 fine upon the first offense, a $200 fine and a seven-day license suspension for a second offense, and a $300 fine and a 30-day suspension for a third offense. A fourth offense within two years would trigger a public hearing, which could then allow the town to permanently revoke that business’ tobacco sales permit.

In attendance at Wednesday’s meeting was Spirit Shoppe manager Jake Brennan, who thanked the Selectboard/Board of Health for bringing these changes forward and offered his apologies for the store’s violation.

“I just wanted to acknowledge and apologize for our role in spurring this into motion,” he said, noting that the store’s clerks do undergo training. “We do fully support bringing this into motion for sure.”

The new regulations will go into effect on Jan 1.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.