Listen to this articleThe New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs is warning retailers that selling flavored vape products is illegal.
According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, nearly 11,000 businesses were sent letters reminding them of the law. The correspondence also directed owners to cease any such sales immediately.
In 2020, New Jersey became the first state in the U.S. to permanently ban the sale and distribution of all vape products with a flavor, taste or aroma other than tobacco.
Breaking the law is punishable by up to $10,000 for the first violation and $20,000 for each subsequent violation, the DCA noted in this week’s letter to businesses.
Group effort
According to the AG’s office, the warnings come as part of a coordinated, multistate enforcement initiative designed to address the unlawful sales of flavored e-cigarettes, vape pens and accessories.
Besides New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Ohio, and Washington, D.C., are also taking steps to pursue companies responsible for importing, distributing, selling and marketing flavored e-cigarettes, Platkin said.
States within the coalition employ a range of enforcement tools, from sending warning letters to e-cigarette retailers, to serving subpoenas or civil investigative demands to filing lawsuits, he said.
In New Jersey, the Division of Consumer Affairs cited 19 businesses in August 2024 for allegedly selling flavored vapes. As a result, the state said it issued civil penalties in the amount of $4,500 to each establishment.
In a statement, Platkin said, “New Jersey has been a nationwide leader in the fight to protect kids from the harmful effects of vapor products that lure them in with enticing flavors and bright packaging. Today we’re proud to take a unified stand with partner states to combat this problem.”
DCA Director Cari Fais added, “Flavored vaping products are hooking a new generation on nicotine, putting millions of kids at risk, and undermining decades of progress in reducing adolescent tobacco use. Together with our ally states, we’re putting retailers on notice that we will not allow them to get rich by breaking our laws and putting consumers—including the youngest and most vulnerable—at risk.”
The Division of Consumer Affairs urges consumers aware of businesses offering and selling flavored vapor products to file a complaint by visiting its website. They can also call 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200 to report an issue.
Snuffed out:
In August, supermarket chain Stop & Shop announced it would stop selling all cigarettes and tobacco products. Read more >>
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