Mt. Kisco Vape Shop Cited for Selling to Underage Youth
A Mount Kisco vape shop was busted by Westchester County police on Tuesday for selling a nicotine-based product to a minor.
During an underage sting conducted by county police, 46-year-old Xin Han Lin, an employee of Smoking King at 32 E. Main Street, was discovered to have sold a mango-flavored pod for $18 to a customer who was under 21 years old.
Officials said the summons that was issue was part of ongoing compliance checks to ensure that vape shops are adhering to the new county law that prohibit the sale of tobacco and related products to anyone under 21. The law was approved by the Board of Legislators in June raising the age from 18 to 21 to buy these products.
Police said when the youth presented his driver’s license to Lin showing he was not of legal age to buy the product, the clerk proceeded with the transaction. Both Lin and the business owner were issued summonses and will appear in Mount Kisco Justice Court at a future date.
Police also sent the minor into Kisco Vapers at 145 E. Main Street, which passed the compliance check. When the underage youth presented the license, the clerk refused to complete the sale.
County police have been regularly conducting compliance checks to make sure that local businesses are not selling alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes or nicotine-based products to underage patrons.
“We will continue to conduct these checks and will continue to work in partnership with community organizations to encourage young people to make safe and healthy choices,” said county Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gleason.
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