Parlin, Sayreville Stores Illegally Sold Flavored Vape Pens, NJ Says

SAYREVILLE, NJ — A mini-mart in Sayreville and another in Parlin were both fined by the state for illegally selling flavored tobacco vape pens.

The stores that were fined are the mini-mart inside the Shell gas station at 2800 Washington Road in Parlin and Supreme Cloud Smoke Shop, also on Washington Road, in Sayreville.

Both were issued $4,500 fines from the state. The fines were just announced Tuesday of this week.

In 2020, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to ban all flavored vape pens, e-cigarettes or other products. This was a move strongly pushed by Gov. Phil Murphy because he said flavored and sweet tobacco appeals too much to young people and teenagers, as well as even children.

Vape pens come in flavors like mint, candy, fruit and chocolate. Research has shown that these products are extremely appealing to teens and children. The nationwide rise in vaping has severely undermined hard-fought declines in adolescent smoking.

The state of NJ did an undercover investigation starting this June, and identified the following stores that continue to illegally sell flavored tobacco. Many of these convenience stores are located close to schools, public parks or on Jersey Shore boardwalks, said NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin. Each store listed below was told they must pay a fine of $4,500.

The stores are:

• Aloha Convenience & Smoke LLC, Plainfield, NJ

• Cruz Grocery Store, Newark, NJ

• Shell Food Mart, Parlin, NJ

• Still the Dubb on Springfield Convenience Store, Irvington, NJ

• Supreme Cloud Smoke Shop, Sayreville, NJ

• Wacky Tobaccy Smoke Shop, Asbury Park, NJ

• Spirit Gifts, Wildwood, NJ

• Spirit USA, Wildwood, NJ

• Genesis, Wildwood, NJ

• Over the Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

• Exotics, Wildwood, NJ

• Gift World, Wildwood, NJ

• High Society, Wildwood, NJ

• Gifts 4 U, Wildwood, NJ

• Waves, Wildwood, NJ

• No Cap, Wildwood, NJ

• Golden Gate, Wildwood, NJ

• Smoke Factory, Wildwood, NJ

• Dolphin, Wildwood, NJ

“Thanks to Gov. Murphy, New Jersey has some of the strongest laws in the nation to prevent the sale of flavored vape products that are particularly attractive to kids, and we intend to enforce them,” said Attorney General Platkin. "If you are caught selling these dangerous, banned products, you will be held accountable.”

New Jersey has also had legal battles with JUUL, the e-cigarette maker: In December of 2022, Platkin announced New Jersey had entered a multi-state settlement with JUUL, after accusing JUUL of using advertising that appealed to youths.

The investigation was conducted by investigators Caroline Clark, Matthew Reilley, Kristen Reilley, Gregory Zeichner, Jose Saville, Steven Varites, Demetra Murray, Kathy Plasencia, and Supervising Investigator Josep Iasso.

Do you want to report a store that is illegally selling flavored vape tobacco? Or do you have another complaint where you feel cheated by a New Jersey business? File a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.