Vape shops in Lockport and North Tonawanda are among several businesses across the state linked to illegally shipped vaping products.
“Operation Vapers’ Dozen” resulted in more than a dozen arrests and 38 criminal charges. State officials said 10 further charges are pending and additional arrests and arrest warrants are planned this week.
Locally, state officials said the Wet Vapes locations in Lockport, North Tonawanda and Cheektowaga were named in the probe. The websites at all three sites were down on Wednesday morning. A release from the state didn’t specify individuals charged in the probe.
The crackdown on the state vape industry, led by the New York State Department of Health in partnership with the New York State Police, targeted businesses and their owners that operate online vape shops and distribution networks located across the state, from Western New York to Long Island.
“These companies built their business models around breaking New York’s laws and targeting our kids — now, we’re holding them accountable,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “With the largest criminal vape enforcement operation in state history, New York is sending a message: if you sell vapor products in violation of our laws, you will face serious consequences.”
Based on a months-long investigation by the Department of Health’s Bureau of Investigations that included undercover online buys, New York State Police charged the vape dealers with unlawful shipment and transport of vapor products, a class A misdemeanor. According to the Public Health Law, any second or subsequent unlawful shipment and transport of vapor products following a conviction would be a class E felony.
Many of the illicit shipments included bright-colored disposable e-cigarettes and e-liquids in flavors that appeal to adolescents, such as fruit, candy, soda and dessert flavors, marketed through websites, social media and mobile apps. Some included disposable vapes that come equipped with digital display screens and other tech-savvy features similar to smartphones, handheld video games and other electronic devices popular among children, teens and young adults.
“The widespread availability of e-cigarettes and vapor products poses significant public health challenges, with particularly alarming consequences for adolescents, such as addiction and damage to their developing brains and lungs. These arrests are a direct result of the state’s dedication to decreasing vaping, especially among young people,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Thanks to the work of the Department’s Bureau of Investigations and our partners at the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police, we are making it clear that violating laws meant to protect the health of New Yorkers, and children in particular, will not be tolerated.”
In New York state, it is illegal to sell flavored vapor products at retail, sell vapor products to anyone under 21 years old, and to ship, or cause to be shipped, vapor products to consumers and unlicensed businesses. Public Health Law prescribes various civil and criminal penalties for violations.