Smoke shop fined almost $13 million under Wisconsin's new vape law
Wisconsin fined Exclusive Tobacco almost $13 million for violating its new vape law restricting product sales to an approved list.Summary
Wisconsin's Department of Revenue (DOR) has issued over $13 million in fines to two retailers within the first three months of the state’s new vape law, which took effect in September. Exclusive Tobacco, a four-store chain, received the largest fine – exceeding $12.4 million – for selling products not on the state’s approved list and operating with an expired license. A second retailer, Dave'z Smoke N Vape LLC, was fined $450,000 for similar violations. The DOR also issued 42 orders to remove illegal products and conducted 27 seizures. While the law allows select brands like Juul, Blu, Vuse, and Crossbar, many vape stores have struggled to adapt, with some forced to close, like George Packard’s store in Antigo. An appeals case challenging the law is pending, with a decision expected in late January, following a similar case in Iowa that blocked a vape directory law and a case in Utah that upheld theirs. Industry representatives argue the law was lobbied for by big tobacco companies to eliminate competition.
(Source：USA TODAY)
