Jersey Shore businesses accused of illegally selling flavored vape products are fined

Nineteen stores that authorities say illegally sold flavored vape products have been fined civil penalties of $4,500 each.

The stores — 12 of which are in Wildwood — sold flavored electronic smoking devices and products, including mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate flavors, the stare Office of the Attorney General said in a statement. All were issued notices of violations.

The sale of vapor products with a flavor, taste, or aroma other than tobacco has been illegal in New Jersey since 2020. The law was the nation’s first permanent flavor ban, according to the governor’s office.

Undercover investigators bought products and observed flavored vapes being sold during an investigation that began in June.

On Aug. 13, eight Wildwood business owners ranging in age from 27 to 55 were charged by city police with sales of flavored vapor products where prohibited, a disorderly persons offense.

“In the coming months, the city of Wildwood, Wildwood Police Department and Code Enforcement will seek to reeducate and work with tobacco and vape distributors to make sure that they know the law,” city officialw said earlier this month. “Our goal is to protect kids, and we plan to do that in unison with businesses that sell these products.

The stores issued civil penalties are:

• Aloha Convenience & Smoke, Plainfield
• Cruz Grocery Store, Newark
• Shell Food Mart, Parlin
• Still the Dubb on Springfield Convenience Store, Irvington
• Supreme Cloud Smoke Shop, Sayreville
• Wacky Tobaccy Smoke Shop, Asbury Park
• Spirit Gifts, Wildwood
• Spirit USA, Wildwood
• Genesis, Wildwood
• Over the Boardwalk, Wildwood
• Exotics, Wildwood
• Gift World, Wildwood
• High Society, Wildwood
• Gifts 4 U, Wildwood
• Waves, Wildwood
• No Cap, Wildwood
• Golden Gate, Wildwood
• Smoke Factory, Wildwood
• Dolphin, Wildwood

“The ban on flavor vaping devices is in place to protect New Jersey consumers — especially our youth — from the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes, nicotine, and tobacco,” said Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “By identifying and taking enforcement action against merchants who illegally sell these products, we are protecting public health and fulfilling our responsibility to safeguard consumers from unlawful business practices.”

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.