The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) is warning the public that certain local retail shops are selling flavored vapes illegally. TCHD advises retail companies to stop illegal sales and reminds the businesspeople of the penalties that can be imposed while doing so.
To minimize the product’s attractiveness to teenagers and youths, New York State Law bans the sale of flavored nicotine vapes, including menthol. It is authorized to offer only tobacco-flavored nicotine vaping goods. More details about the state restriction for businesses can be accessed on the New York State website.
At the Tompkins County Board of Health (TC BOH) meeting on October 25, 2022, members unanimously accepted sanctions on Dream Vape & Smoke, a local shop that was in breach of State statutes. The legal actions provide a $2,500 fine from an earlier unpaid citation for a related violation, a $2,750 fine for selling a vapor item to those under the age of 21, a $68,750 fine for selling banned products (over 600 individual flavored vapor products containing nicotine were discovered), bans on any further sale of this kind of goods, and provisions to post signboards at the business.
Flavored vaping goods are frequently pushed to teenagers due to their packaging, ads, and flavor. As stated by the CDC, nearly all people who smoke started when they were teenagers. About 80% of all young people who have ever used tobacco products began with a flavored product. According to studies, the majority of adolescents who use electronic cigarettes begin with flavored versions, and around 85% of them continue to use flavored products. Adolescent nicotine use is related to an enhanced risk of future drug dependence. According to the 2021 Tompkins County Community-Level Youth Development Evaluation (CLYDE) survey, 19% of area high school seniors use vaping goods daily, and 30% had used vaping products at some point in their lives.
“Most vaping products contain nicotine, a highly addictive ingredient also found in conventional tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars,” said Melissa Dhundale, MD, TC BOH member. According to CDC research, up to 99% of electronic cigarettes have nicotine, even if it is not indicated on the packaging. Nicotine is extremely damaging to adolescents and young adults since it has a direct effect on the development of the brain (which goes on up to the mid-20s). Nicotine alters the formation of brain synapses, which can impair impulsive behavior, emotional regulation, concentration, and learning abilities.”
“As a parent, I am highly concerned about the growth in sales of flavored vaping goods,” Tompkins County Legislature Chairwoman Shawna Black said. According to research, nicotine usage is unhealthy and addicting for young adults, and vaping devices can be deadly. We can’t afford another generation of cigarette addiction, so I’m pleading with our local companies to take this issue seriously.”
As part of the NYS Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act, the TCHD performs regular surprise inspections of all tobacco and vape establishments in the county. Environmental Health (EH) is in charge of monitoring and enforcement. In addition, EH can perform an inspection in response to a complaint about a retailer. If a shop sells forbidden items or sells to an individual under the age of 21 during an inspection, the store may face penalties, fines (up to $100 per prohibited product), surcharges, as well as a revoked license.
“The issue of businesses continuing to sell and advertise flavored vaping devices, particularly to those under the age of 21, is of significant concern to the Tompkins County Board of Health,” said Tompkins County Board of Health President Christina Moylan. We commend the Environmental Health division for prioritizing our youth’s health and for their efforts in fighting unlawful sales. The Board of Health will continue to advocate harsh measures against merchants who engage in these illegal practices.”
