Phony​ E-Cigarette, Vape Products Found Across Nassau County

HICKSVILLE, NY — Nassau County officials are stepping up efforts to crack down on fake e-cigarette and vape products after investigators found violations across the county. Laura Curran, the Nassau County executive, on Thursday announced "Operation Clear The Air," a new effort by the consumer affairs department.

Consumer affairs investigators swept through more than 60 locations in Baldwin, Freeport, Mineola, Oceanside and Rockville Centre, finding about 15 violations of county regulations that ban unfair trade practices. This includes deceptive or unconscionable trade practices in the sale of any consumer good. Each violation could be punishable with a fine of up to $5,000.

Investigators found stores selling e-cigarette products with doctored stickers aimed at misleading consumers to believe they were approved for sale in the United States. Several products had stickers from Canada, including product warning and information in English and French. It wasn't immediately clear whether those products were actually approved for sale in those countries.

Investigators have homed in on bogus vape products reported in Hicksville and Rockville Centre. Vaping has been linked to hundreds of breathing illnesses nationwide and dozens in New York.

"With Operation Clear The Air, Nassau County is taking decisive action to protect unsuspecting consumers from counterfeit vaping products, which can be especially dangerous," Curran said in a news release. "Businesses in Nassau County must ensure they are not selling black market products that are not approved for sale. We have a responsibility to enforce the law and protect the health and safety of our residents."

Curran encouraged business owners and neighbors to remain vigilant in spotting and reporting possible fake products making their way into shops. Anyone who thinks they've seen black market e-cigarette and vape products should report them to the department.

Curran's announcement comes a day after New York and Connecticut said they were teaming up to develop similar policies on e-cigarettes and marijuana legalization.

Cuomo and Gov. Ned Lamont, both Democrats, on Wednesday announced they were joining forces to create policies that would deter residents from crossing state borders to circumvent laws. On Oct. 17, law enforcement, health officials and policymakers in both states will attend a summit to draft guidelines and principles for the two states that will govern vaping and cannabis.

See also: Cuomo On Jay Oliver Show: Vaping A 'Public Health Crisis' (AUDIO)

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week said it is investigating 805 cases of lung injury spanning 46 states and one U.S. territory. Twelve people have died across 10 states.

New York recieved reports of 81 confirmed cases last week, up from 64 the previous week, health officials said.

Nationally, all reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping, and most patients indicated they'd used products containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Many also reported using THC and nicotine.

While the CDC said it does not yet know the specific cause of the lung injuries and the investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product or substance linked to all cases.

However, New York health officials have homed in on vitamin E acetate oil. High levels of the substance were found in nearly all cannabis-containing samples, state health officials said.

Vitamin E acetate is not an approved additive for vape products authorized by the state's medical marijuana program, and it was not found in the nicotine-based products.

Cuomo previously ordered the state Department of Health to subpoena three out-of-state companies that market and sell so-called "thickening agents" used in black market vaping products. The thickeners are marketed and readily available on the internet as a cheap, safe alternative that won't adversely affect flavor or smell of existing products. They're also billed as being able to cut vape products to any level of THC.