Underage sale violations were found at several Central Florida vape stores in a recent proactive enforcement operation.
In response to recent information received from School Resource Deputies regarding juveniles obtaining nicotine and THC vapes at area smoke shops, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office detectives with the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force recently initiated a proactive enforcement operation.
An undercover deputy (under 21 years of age) visited 17 stores in Daytona Beach, Edgewater, Holly Hill, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, and Port Orange, and attempted to purchase nicotine vape products.
Of the 17 stores checked during this operation, 9 sold a nicotine vape product to the undercover deputy without requesting identification or asking their age.
Those stores with violations were:
• Edgewater Smoke Shop, 810 Indian River Blvd., Edgewater
• Pumpernickel Pops NSB, 1425 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach
• Puff N’ Stuff Smoke Shop, 553 E. 3rd Ave., New Smyrna Beach
• Mellow Life Smoke Shop, 5283 S. Nova Road, Port Orange
• Greenaid Smoke Shop, 3813 Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange
• Nova Smoke Shop, 771 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach
• Spark Tobacco and Vape, 1930 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
• Jaguar Smoke & Vape II, 700 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill
• Hywaze, 1609 N. Nova Road, Holly Hill
Several other locations either asked for ID or asked the undercover deputy’s age and refused the sale.
Some of the businesses checked either no longer sold vape products or were a wholesaler who only sells vape products to other businesses.
Deputies contacted the store clerks who sold nicotine vape products to the undercover deputy and completed complaint affidavits. Additionally, business licensing information was gathered to forward complaints to the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for administrative action.
According to local law enforcement, these operations will continue in an effort to encourage compliance with Florida law.
