New York AG Sues Otsego County Smoke Shop for Illegally Selling Vapes to Minors and Flavored Products
New York's AG sued Royalty Tobacco in Otsego County, seeking its closure for illegally selling vapes to minors and banned flavored products.Summary
New York Attorney General Letitia James, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), has filed a lawsuit against Otsego County smoke shop Royalty Tobacco, demanding its closure and seeking to permanently ban owners Eysa Sharhan and Ahmed Mozeb from selling vapor products in the state. The lawsuit alleges habitual breaches of public health laws, specifically selling vapes to underage patrons and continuing to sell banned flavored vapes, despite previous warnings, fines, and license revocations under different business names. The DOH investigation uncovered illicit sales at locations run by Sharhan and Mozeb, including Pop-In Smoke & Vape and Pufftopia, leading to over $195,000 in accumulated fines. The action seeks to shut down Royalty Tobacco, ban the owners from the industry, and secure financial redress for the serial offenses, as New York strictly prohibits flavored nicotine vape sales and sales to anyone under 21.
(Source：Hoodline)
