Police and health officials in New York State conducted a coordinated crackdown last week against online vape sellers in the state. According to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, the raids resulted in more than 12 arrests and 38 criminal charges.
The crackdown, dubbed “Operation Vapers’ Dozen," came after what the governor’s office said was a months-long investigation by the Department of Health’s Bureau of Investigations. The businesses were charged with Unlawful Shipment and Transport of Vapor Products, which is a class-A misdemeanor, according to a press release.
The New York state legislature banned the sale of flavored vapes (except tobacco flavor) in 2020, and prohibited all online vape sales (regardless of flavor) at the same time. The vape restrictions were inserted in a spending bill during an overnight session and passed with no public debate.
“These companies built their business models around breaking New York’s laws and targeting our kids---now, we’re holding them accountable,” 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.”
New York Democrats, including Gov. Hochul and former governor Andrew Cuomo, have been among the most rabid anti-vaping politicians in the country, consistently favoring prohibitionist policies. They view vaping as an easy target with almost no political support, and therefore a way to grab occasional headlines while suffering little to no political pain.
Earlier this year, New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against 13 manufacturers, distributors and retailers she accused of bringing illegal products to market in the state.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has carried on his own war on vaping, filing several lawsuits against vape distributors and retailers. Among the 12 businesses charged last week were seven from New York City and Long Island.
Several U.S. states ban or restrict online vape sales, including Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont.
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Because of declining cigarette sales, state governments in the U.S. and countries around the world are looking to vapor products as a new source of tax revenue.
The legal age to buy e-cigarettes and other vaping products varies around the world. The United States recently changed the legal minimum sales age to 21.
A list of vaping product flavor bans and online sales bans in the United States, and sales and possession bans in other countries.
