VOLUSIA COUNTY, FL — The Volusia Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force, has launched a proactive enforcement operation in response to reports of juveniles obtaining nicotine and THC vapes from local smoke shops. An undercover deputy, under the age of 21, visited 17 retail locations across Daytona Beach, Edgewater, Holly Hill, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, and Port Orange, aiming to purchase nicotine vape products.
During the operation, 9 out of the 17 stores sold nicotine vapes to the undercover deputy without verifying age or requesting identification. The stores found in violation include Edgewater Smoke Shop, Pumpernickel Pops NSB, Puff N’ Stuff Smoke Shop, Mellow Life Smoke Shop, Greenaid Smoke Shop, Nova Smoke Shop, Spark Tobacco and Vape, Jaguar Smoke & Vape II, and Hywaze.
The Sheriff’s Office has noted that several other stores complied with the law by either asking for ID or refusing the sale. Some locations checked do not sell vape products directly to consumers or only operate as wholesalers. The operation highlights ongoing efforts to prevent underage access to vape products in the community.