State, Nassau officials seize 14 tons of illegal vaping products bound for local distributors and smoke shops

State Department of Health officials, Nassau police and Nassau County health officials intercepted an estimated 14 tons of illegal vaping products last week intended for local distributors and smoke shops, state health officials exclusively told Newsday.

State investigators with the Health Department’s Bureau of Investigations said the Buffalo-based wholesale distributor Ecto World Inc., also known as Demand Vape, one of the largest vaping and e-cigarette distributors in the country, could face criminal charges. The company is accused of violating state laws on the shipping of cigarettes and vapor products.

The retail value of the illegal vape products was put at between $2.2 and $3.5 million, state officials said.

State Health Department officials said investigators worked with police and shipping companies to identify potential shipments being delivered in Nassau County, totaling more than 26,000 pounds and more than 570 boxes of vaping products.

A smaller shipment of more than 2,700 pounds of vaping products were intercepted upstate in Orange County.

Attorneys and representatives with Ecto World and Demand Vape did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

"Illicit vape products pose serious risks to the health of New Yorkers, especially our youth," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "This seizure is a major victory for public safety and a clear message that New York will not tolerate illegal operations that put our communities at risk."

Nassau County prosecutors and police declined to comment about the investigation Wednesday. Nassau legislators voted in 2019 to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarette, vaping and nicotine products.

Health officials said the products also may have violated the state’s 2020 ban on the sale of flavored vaping products. The health department identified several products marketed to children and teens, including the use of candy flavoring and disposable packaging with digital displays, sounds and games.

"This significant seizure displays the Department’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of all New Yorkers, particularly our young people, who are most at risk from these dangerous products," state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement.

State investigators arrested 38 people in a separate investigation in September; it targeted illegal vape shipments, including at two vape shops on Long Island.

Unlawful shipping of vaping products can lead to misdemeanor charges or felonies for repeat violations under the public health law, and civil fines per package.

Officials said by targeting distributors, investigators could slow the supply of vaping products and limit the "whack-a-mole" enforcement at retailers.

Last year, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against 13 manufacturers and distributors, including Ecto World, seeking millions in damages. The suit accused the companies of illegally distributing products targeting youth.

Ecto World is a nationwide distributor of vaping products, primarily imported from China, state officials said. The company sent shipments of the nicotine vaping products to Nassau County because it is close to New York City.

The crackdown on vaping products may slow teens' access to vaping products, which is not a safe alternative to cigarettes, said Judi Vining, executive director of Long Beach AWARE, a drug and alcohol treatment nonprofit.

"Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances and vaping is a delivery system in the lungs to get it there much faster," Vining said. "Tobacco companies are looking to have these kids addicted at an early age and these companies have them for life."

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.