Virginia bill targets vape shops that sell to underage buyers
A new Virginia bill aims to shut down vape shops that repeatedly sell tobacco products to underage buyers, addressing a lack of oversight.Summary
Virginia is poised to crack down on vape shops selling to minors with a new bill passed by the General Assembly. Delegate Patrick Hope highlighted that many vape shops readily sell to underage customers despite legal prohibitions, fueled by a proliferation of shops and insufficient regulation. The bill establishes an enforcement system, allowing the state to shut down shops that repeatedly violate the law. A key challenge has been identifying these shops; currently, only 52 out of an estimated 10,000 have registered with the Department of Tax. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority will hire inspectors to enforce the new regulations, with operations expected to begin by October. Simultaneously, a Fairfax County police investigation targeted multiple vape shops, including Tobacco King locations, for selling illegal items and laundering money, demonstrating the urgency of increased oversight.
(Source：WTOP)
