Illegal Flavored Vapes Sold At 13 Wildwood Boardwalk Shops: AG

WILDWOOD, NJ — Thirteen Wildwood boardwalk shops were caught selling illegal flavored vapor products, according to Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs.

The stores were among 19 in New Jersey issued Notices of Violation (“NOVs”) and assessed civil penalties of $4,500 each for allegedly violating the state’s consumer protection laws by offering and selling flavored vapes that are banned for sale in New Jersey, Platkin said.

Research shows that flavored electronic smoking devices and products, including mint, candy, fruit and chocolate flavors, are very appealing to children and teenagers and the nationwide rise in use undermines declines in adolescent smoking, Platkin said.

To combat this problem, in Jan. 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation prohibiting the sale and distribution of all vapor products with a flavor, taste, or aroma other than tobacco, making New Jersey the first state in the nation to impose a permanent ban on these products.

“Thanks to Governor Murphy, New Jersey has some of the strongest laws in the nation to prevent the sale of flavored vape products that are particularly attractive to kids, and we intend to enforce them,” said Platkin. “As students across the state head back to school, we’re sending a message of deterrence to retailers. If you are caught selling these dangerous, banned products, you will be held accountable.”

This investigation was launched in June 2024. Through undercover buys and in-store inspections, investigators identified smoke shops, convenience stores, and gift and novelty retailers in five counties offering and selling the banned products, many in locations close to schools and parks or on or near shore town boardwalks.

Each NOV includes a demand for civil penalties in the amount of $4,500. These Wildwood stores were cited:

• Spirit Gifts, Wildwood, NJ

• Spirit USA, Wildwood, NJ

• Genesis, Wildwood, NJ

• Over the Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

• Exotics, Wildwood, NJ

• Gift World, Wildwood, NJ

• High Society, Wildwood, NJ

• Gifts 4 U, Wildwood, NJ

• Waves, Wildwood, NJ

• No Cap, Wildwood, NJ

• Golden Gate, Wildwood, NJ

• Smoke Factory, Wildwood, NJ

• Dolphin, Wildwood, NJ