LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — In a sweeping crackdown aimed at combating underage vaping, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has charged 14 local vape shops for violating age restrictions. The two-day sting, which targeted 32 businesses, underscores the growing concern over youth access to nicotine products in the community.
Police say it was one of the largest vaping-related operations conducted by the sheriff's office. It was prompted by concerns of local parents and teachers as well as the rapid growth of nicotine and vaping products.
Each of the 14 store clerks and owners charged received a summons for the violations. According to Virginia code, it is illegal to sell, distribute, buy for or allow the purchase of any tobacco or hemp product to a person under 21. Anyone who violates the law faces a fine of $1,000 to $10,000, based on whether it is a first or subsequent offense in a 36-month period.
If an employee is the one who violates the law, the business is issued the penalty with an additional $100 fine for the employee. The business may also have its license suspended or revoked for repeated offenses. There is no criminal penalty.
The following locations sold to an undercover underage customer:
- Ashburn Cigar and Tobacco – Ashburn
- Tobacco Hut – Leesburg
- Ashburn Cigar and Vape – Ashburn
- Tobacco King & Vape – Leesburg
- Imperial Tobacco – Ashburn
- EZ Tobacco - Lovettsville
- Tobacco Hut – Ashburn
- Imperial Tobacco – Sterling
- Smoke N Vape – Broadlands
- Sterling Smoke – Sterling
- Tobacco Hut – Broadlands
- Sterling Vape Shop – Sterling
- Diamond Tobacco & Vape – Lansdowne
- Tobacco King – Sterling
