ONEONTA, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) - An Oneonta smoke shop is facing a shutdown for allegedly selling illegal flavored vapes and selling vapes to minors.

The New York State Attorney General's Office has filed a lawsuit seeking to permanently ban the owners of Royalty Tobacco in the Price Chopper Plaza on Route 7 from selling vape products in the state.

According to the AG's office, Eysa Sharhan and Anmed Mozed have previously faced charges of selling vaporized tobacco to underage customers.

In response, the AG says Sharhan and Mozed have simply shut down their businesses and reopened under new names, first Pop-In Smoke and Vape, then Pufftopia, and now Royalty Tobacco.

Over the past three years, the state Department of Health has levied $195,000 in fines against the illegal smoke shop owners.

See Full Page