Suffolk County, NY - November 15, 2018 - Yesterday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone appeared on Good Morning America to discuss prevention and enforcement efforts undertaken by Suffolk County to combat illegal sales of e-cigarettes to minors. County Executive Bellone recently introduced a bill to the Suffolk County Legislature to strengthen penalties on tobacco retailers who are charged with unlawfully selling nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, to persons under 21 years of age.
The segment can be seen here.
Additional Measures:
The Suffolk County Police Department employs a number of methods to ensure tobacco and e-cigarette vendors are in compliance with the Suffolk County Health Code outlawing the sale of nicotine products to persons under 21 years of age. This includes undercover sting investigations that utilize minors to ensure lawful sale of all nicotine products. The Suffolk County Police Department recently announced the results of an investigation, which saw arrests at 21 percent of the establishments where store operators sold to minors. Charges include unlawfully dealing with a child and the sale of e-cigarettes to persons less than 21 years of age. To date, more than 280 compliance checks have been conducted at vape shops in Suffolk County.
In October, County Executive Bellone introduced legislation to the Suffolk County Legislature that will double the fines for businesses who are charged with the sale of tobacco products to person sunder 21 years old. The Suffolk County Legislature will be holding a public hearing for this bill on Tuesday, November 20th at the William H. Rogers Building in Hauppauge.