Barnegat-Area Vape Shops Speak Out Against NJ Ban

BARNEGAT, NJ — New Jersey's recent ban on flavored vape products has several local vape stores worried — not just for their future but how it could impact customers quitting traditional cigarettes.

The vaping legislation prohibits the sale and distribution of flavored vape products, including menthol. It is set to take effect April 20, giving people a 90-day grace period. Read more: NJ Gov. Murphy Signs 153 Bills Into Law, Including Major Vape Ban

Jamie Desposito owns Vapor Shark in Barnegat and Toms River. In her seven years in the vaping industry, she said she has seen e-cigarettes save the lives of people quitting cigarettes.

"I think that the vaping industry is getting the fury and the heat that the cigarette industry should’ve had 50, 60, however many years ago," Desposito told Patch. "It’s a huge mistake because vaping really is something that can save so many lives."

New Jersey became the first state to impose a permanent ban on such products. State legislators supporting the ban said they want to reduce the growing number of minors using e-cigarettes.

According to the CDC, 27.5 percent of high school students smoked an e-cigarette in a 30-day period.

The CDC says most vape-related illnesses came from products with THC — 78 percent were acquired from informal sources such as family, friends and dealers. But politicians in several states have taken action because of the use among youth and the prevalence of disease and death.

Vape shops and supporters have organized a movement hoping for supplemental legislature that exempts vape shops from the restrictions. Advocates have pointed to the fact that vape shops only fail to check IDs less than 1 percent of the time, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Gorilla Vapes owner Nick Jurczyk says that's still too often. But he said gas stations, convenience stores and online vendors are the bigger culprits for failing to check if their customers are 21 or older.

"What you're doing is taking a less harmful choice away from adults," Jurczyk told legislators. "What you're doing will inevitably add to the pockets of big tobacco. But I'm sure you know that." Gorilla Vapes operates several stores — most in New Jersey, including Lacey and Beachwood locations.

Vortex Vapor Lounge in Barnegat joined the fight for a supplemental law. Electronic vaping helped owner Chris McCabe quit smoking in 2014. Read more: Vortex Vapor Lounge In Barnegat Looks To Provide A Space To Relax

"Don’t let this ban scare you yet as there are many advocates including myself that are working tirelessly behind the scenes for all of us!" the business wrote on Facebook.

Advanced Vapors in Manahawkin also advocated against the ban. The business urged its supporters earlier this month to call Murphy.

The New Jersey Vapor Rights Coalition has been central to organizing the movement.

"It is our hope that the new legislative session allows us to truly address the youth access issue by moving all vapor products to 21 and over licensed vapor retail establishments and allow flavors to be used by adults who wish to have an alternative to deadly combustible cigarettes," the organization said.

But as it stands, the ban will take effect April 20. And many shops are preparing for what will happen without additional legislation.

Desposito said she would try to pivot Vapor Sharks toward wellness and education. But the ban leaves her and other owners with uncertainty about the future.

"Flavored juice is more than half of my sales," she said. "So if it goes through, I don’t know how I’m going to keep the store open without some type of miracle."

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.