The Largest-scale E-cigarette Law Enforcement Operation Was Launched in New York, USA, And 12 E-cigarette Distributors Were Investigated.

On September 3rd local time, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state had launched its largest-ever criminal enforcement operation related to e-cigarettes. They seized 12 e-cigarette distributors, arrested over a dozen suspects and filed 38 criminal charges, all of which were related to the illegal transportation of e-cigarette products in violation of state laws.
This was a statewide crackdown operation jointly carried out by the New York State Department of Health and the state police force against illegal e-cigarettes. The target was online e-cigarette stores and distributors throughout New York State.
The involved enterprises are spread across western New York, central New York, Mohawk Valley, capital region, New York City and Long Island, and some of these enterprises have physical stores open to the public. These enterprises include:
Shindler Distribution / Vaporush (Manhattan) ePuffer (Manhattan and Brooklyn) Vape4Style (Brooklyn) Beyond Vape (Bronx) NYC Glass 718 (Staten Island)
JPL Development Inc. / Vaperdudes Shinnecock E-cigarette Store
Nicless Vape (Albany and Fulton County) Vape More / Delta 8 Geek (Albany, Fulton and Warren County)
Wet Vapes (Illinois County and Niagara County) in the western part of New York
Jadak Vapor (Oneida County) in the central part of New York and Mohawk Valley
Adirondack Vapor (Oneida County) in the capital region

The New York State Police stated that in addition to the 11 distributors mentioned above, they are also investigating the 12th and will file charges.
The New York State Governor said: "The business models of these companies are based on violating New York State laws and targeting our children - now, we will hold them accountable. This is the largest criminal enforcement action against e-cigarettes in the state's history, aimed at sending a clear message: Any illegal sale of illegal e-cigarette products will face serious consequences."
According to the investigation conducted by the Health Department for several months, the New York State Police accused these e-cigarette distributors of illegal shipment and transportation of e-cigarette products, although this is only an A-level misdemeanor, but according to the "Public Health Law", a first conviction followed by illegal transportation of e-cigarettes again will constitute an E-level felony.
The seized illegal goods include a large number of colorful disposable e-cigarettes and e-liquids, with flavors including fruits, candies, soda and desserts, and promoted through websites, social media and mobile applications. Some of the seized products are also equipped with digital displays and other technological functions, similar to popular electronic devices such as smartphones and handheld game consoles for teenagers.
According to New York State law, it is prohibited to retail flavored e-cigarettes, sell e-cigarettes to people under the age of 21, and prohibit the transportation (or entrusting others to transport) of e-cigarettes to consumers and unlicensed enterprises. The "Public Health Law" stipulates various civil and criminal penalties for various illegal acts.