Illegal tobacco vendor HUB, along with 10 other smoke shops in Loudoun, face charges for the sale of goods to underage youth.
In a bid to protect the health and wellbeing of young people, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) has taken action against several vape shops in the area for selling age-restricted products to minors. On Tuesday, 12 vape shops in Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg were charged for underage sales.
The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program and the Virginia Rules program have been instrumental in educating students about the dangers of vaping. LCSO officials have been actively engaging with students in the area to spread awareness about the risks associated with these products.
Sheriff Mike Chapman expressed his concern about businesses that continue to disregard the law and the health of young people. He stated, "It is concerning that some businesses continue to disregard the law and the health of young people."
The law being violated is Virginia Code 18.2-371.2, which prohibits the sale of tobacco, hemp, and related age-restricted products to individuals under the age of 21.
For a first violation, a store is charged a civil penalty of $500 for the business and $100 for the employee who makes the sale. However, if a store is caught again within 36 months of a first violation, they face a $2,500 civil penalty. In addition, their business license may be suspended or revoked by the Virginia Department of Taxation.
Last year, LCSO charged 14 shops with underage sales. This year, five of the shops charged last year were caught again. AIO Smoke & Vape in Sterling, Ashburn Cigar & Vapes (with a second offense), Diamond Tobacco & Vapes, HUB in Sterling (with a second offense), Sterling Smoke & Vape (also with a second offense), Tobacco Flex in Purcellville, Tobacco Hut (with a second offense in two different locations), Tobacco Hut, Tobacco King (with two second offenses), Tobacco King & Vape (with two second offenses), and Tobacco King & Vape in Leesburg and Market St. have been charged this time around.
Sheriff Chapman reiterated that they will continue to hold violators accountable, including the loss of their license to do business in Loudoun County. He stated, "We will continue to hold violators accountable, including the loss of their license to do business in Loudoun County."
The law is in place to protect youth from nicotine addiction, according to the sheriff's office. By enforcing these penalties, the LCSO aims to deter businesses from continuing to sell these products to minors.
This legal framework is intended to protect underage youth from access to tobacco and hemp products and is strictly enforced in Loudoun County. The sheriff's office underscores the seriousness of repeated violations by enforcing these escalating penalties, including the loss of the ability to conduct business legally in the county.
Read also:
- Dinesh Master's Expedition: Acquiring Mango Orchard through Our Online Platform
- Expanded Plant-Based Protein Industry Forecasted to Reach a Value of $30.8 Billion by 2034, Growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.1%
- Tune in for drama: Is Dana set to facilitate a romance between Tane and Jo on Home and Away?
- High-Altitude Sustainable Agriculture: Cultivating Food in the Mountains via Permaculture
