New York Attorney General Cracks Down on Vape Shops

New York Attorney General Letitia James ordered dozens of retailers across the state to immediately stop selling flavored e-cigarette and vaping products and to end underage sales. New York banned flavored vaping products statewide as of May 2020.

James’ office issued cease and desist letters to 47 retailers that were illegally selling tobacco products throughout New York. The shops were located in the cities and counties of Albany, Buffalo, Elmira, Hamilton, Nassau, Rochester, Saratoga County, Syracuse, Warren County, Watertown, and the New York City area, according to a press release.

“New York banned flavored vaping products and raised the age to buy tobacco products because teens were getting addicted to the dangerous habit of smoking,” said James. “These businesses skirted the law, jeopardizing the health of young New Yorkers. We will remain vigilant in holding anyone accountable who endanger our children by circumventing our laws.”

The release states that investigators discovered retailers selling nicotine products to underage customers and selling flavored nicotine vaping products. Some shops were also selling nicotine-free flavored liquid alongside vaping products for customers to create their own flavored vaping products.

The illicit products were sold both in the open and secretly from behind the counter, according to the release.