Berkeley-Area Vape Shops Speak Out Against NJ Ban

BERKELEY, NJ — New Jersey's recent ban on flavored vape products has several local 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

Remedy of Bayville is a "vape-alternative store," says owner Brenda Hess. Only a portion of her sales come from vaping products, so her business won't be as affected as pure vape shops.

She still feels there were better legislative solutions, even though she likes the law's intention of keeping vape products away from minors.

"I think they went about it the wrong way," Hess said, "because it’s harming adults who have very successfully transitioned from cigarettes to vaping, which is less harmful overall than cigarettes. No one’s saying that it’s the healthiest option, but it’s certainly less harmful."

Patch could not reach Vaporistic Bayville for comment. But the business has expressed opposition to the law on its Facebook page. As the bill went through state legislatures, they urged people to call lawmakers and Governor Phil Murphy.

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.

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

"I'm sticking around ... I unfortunately don’t think most vape stores would be able to," Hess said.

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.

Gorilla Vapes owner Nick Jurczyk has brought up these statistics when pushing legislators to change course.

Jurczyk began smoking cigarettes when he was 15. But he tried his first e-cigarette 14 years later, which helped him quit. Now he owns Gorilla Vapes, which operates several stores, including locations in Beachwood and Lacey.

He told legislators the new law will not only take away jobs, but it will reduce options for people looking to quit traditional cigarettes.

"What you're doing is taking a less harmful choice away from adults," Jurczyk said. "What you're doing will inevitably add to the pockets of big tobacco. But I'm sure you know that."

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