An unlawful vape shop in Ilion, Liberty Smokeland, has been ordered to shut down by the New York State Attorney General and New York State Department of Health.
In 2025, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and the Department of Health sued Liberty Smokeland and owners Ali Al Shugaa and Galal Gaid for repeatedly violating state laws by selling flavored e-cigarettes, including to minors, and operating an unlicensed vape shop.
In March, James obtained a default judgment against G Smoke and Kaid, requiring them to cease all operations at their store and prohibiting them from selling, marketing, or distributing vape products in New York.
On June 26, James and Commissioner Dr. James McDonald reached a settlement with the remaining defendants that requires Liberty Smokeland to close its Herkimer County store and permanently bans Al Shugaa from selling, marketing, distributing, or otherwise participating in the sale of any vape or tobacco products in New York.
“Liberty Smokeland repeatedly broke the law, sold dangerous products to minors, and blatantly ignored repeated efforts toward accountability,” said James in a statement. “Today’s settlement ensures that these defendants can never again profit from putting addictive products in the hands of children. My office will continue to crack down on illegal vape sellers and protect young New Yorkers from this growing public health threat.”
Suing Smokeland
In January 2025, James and DOH sued Liberty Smokeland and G Smoke after a DOH investigation found that they had repeatedly engaged in illegal activities at a retail location in Ilion, including the sale of illegal flavored vapes, failure to verify the ages of customers, and several additional violations of New York Public Health Law, according to the statement.
In several instances, the store sold flavored vapes to minors without requesting any proof of age. In one case, the store sold a strawberry mango-flavored vape to a minor even after the minor indicated they did not have an ID. Inspections also revealed that flavored vapor products, including more than 5,700 packages, were openly displayed for sale on counters and in self-service bins in blatant violation of public health laws.
Despite repeated enforcement actions and a $285,700 penalty issued by DOH in January 2024, G Smoke and Liberty Smokeland continued to operate illegally and violate state law. When DOH investigators returned in May and August of 2024, they found that the store had remained a hub for the illegal sale of flavored vapes commonly marketed to and used by young people.
It is illegal to sell flavored vapor products containing nicotine at retail stores in New York, and it is illegal to sell any vapor products to individuals under the age of 21. The store sold vapor products without a valid license, another violation of New York law.
The widespread availability of e-cigarettes and vapor products poses significant public health challenges, with particularly alarming consequences for youth.
Commonly used by high school students
According to DOH and data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth and young adults are the primary users of e-cigarettes, and e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product by high school students in New York state.
Data from the 2024 New York Youth Tobacco Survey showed that 13.1% of high school youth use e-cigarettes. Flavorings in tobacco products make them even more appealing to youth. According to the CDC, youth use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe.
Lawsuit settlement
The settlement and the earlier default judgment ensure that G Smoke, Liberty Smokeland, and their owners will no longer be able to skirt state law and sell vape products to minors.
James is requiring the defendants to cease all operations at the Herkimer County store within 20 days and immediately begin the formal process of permanently closing the location.
The settlement also bans Al Shugaa from applying for or obtaining a license to sell tobacco or vape products in New York or owning any business engaged in the sale, distribution, or marketing of tobacco or vape products.
If Liberty Smokeland or Al Shugaa fail to comply with any terms of the settlement agreement, they will have to pay an additional fine of over $100,000 and could be subject to further legal action.
“We are proud to work with partners like Attorney General James to hold those accountable who violate the laws made to protect the health of our children,” said McDonald said in a statement. “E-cigarettes and vapor products have alarming consequences for adolescents including addiction and damage to their developing brain and lungs. This settlement is a direct result of New York state’s dedication to decreasing vaping and should serve as a clear sign to others that this illegal behavior will not be tolerated.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Unlawful Herkimer County vape shop ordered to shut down
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
