Largest Ever Illegal Vape Bust Nets Hundreds Of Products

GREENBURGH, NY — A crackdown on vape sales led to the bust of one of the largest illegal vape sales the Westchester County Health Department has come across since New York law enacted regulations on the distribution of tobacco products and herbal cigarettes to minors.

As part of County Executive George Latimer’s initiative aimed at cracking down on illegal vape sales, Westchester’s health department has been conducting more frequent and enhanced compliance checks.

The checks over the last two months have resulted in more than 70 inspections of licensed facilities in the county.

Last week’s bust was done in combination with the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, which is made up of police agencies from Ardsley, Greenburgh, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings, Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow and North Castle.

The county confiscated all of the product and has it secured. The operator was issued a ticket and has a hearing pending on the issue.

Latimer said that the county’s initiative against illegal vape sales is showing real results, particularly in the case of minors.

“Through intensified compliance checks and strong partnerships like the recent operation with Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, we’re combatting this issue,” he said. “While most comply, we’re taking a stand against illegal sales, confiscating banned products and upholding our commitment to a healthier Westchester County.”

Since the county began the enhanced enforcement, utilizing Department of Public Safety park rangers under the age of 21 and a larger group of trained staff, the county has seen greater results with enforcement of state tobacco regulations.

Although the majority of checks have resulted in facilities being in compliance, there have been multiple illegal sales of tobacco products to minors across the county.

In addition, the county Health Department has also seized hundreds of flavored vape tobacco products which are illegal to sell in New York.

Facilities that are found to be in violation of New York’s public health law that prohibits the sale of tobacco and vapor products and smoking paraphernalia to people under the age of 21 are issued an appearance ticket by the Department of Health where significant fines may be assessed in addition to potentially losing their licenses to sell tobacco products.