Union County Smoke Shop Illegally Sold Flavored Tobacco, State Says

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A smoke shop in Plainfield was fined by the state for illegally selling flavored tobacco vape pens.

Aloha Convenience & Smoke LLC in Plainfield was among 19 New Jersey retailers who were issued Notices of Violation (“NOVs”) and a $4,500 fine, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs ("Division") announced.

In 2020 Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation making New Jersey became the first state in the nation to ban all flavored vape pens, e-cigarettes or other products.

Research has shown that these products are extremely appealing to teens and children and the nationwide rise in their use is undermining hard-fought declines in adolescent smoking, according to the state.

This past June, the state launched an investigation into the unlawful offer and sale of flavored vapor products. Through undercover buys and in-store inspections, investigators found 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.

The stores that received a violation and must pay a fine of $4,500 include:

• Aloha Convenience & Smoke LLC, Plainfield
• Cruz Grocery Store, Newark
• Shell Food Mart, Parlin
• Still the Dubb on Springfield Convenience Store, Irvington
• Supreme Cloud Smoke Shop, Sayreville
• Wacky Tobaccy Smoke Shop, Asbury Park
• Spirit Gifts, Wildwood
• Spirit USA, Wildwood
• Genesis, Wildwood
• Over the Boardwalk, Wildwood
• Exotics, Wildwood
• Gift World, Wildwood
• High Society, Wildwood
• Gifts 4 U, Wildwood
• Waves, Wildwood
• No Cap, Wildwood
• Golden Gate, Wildwood
• Smoke Factory, Wildwood
• Dolphin, Wildwood

"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."

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

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