The New York State Department of Health has announced the first-ever arrest in a vape shop investigation in Central New York.

On January 28, New York State Police charged the owner of Vape Kult with two misdemeanor counts of unlawful shipment and transport of vapor products through the mail. His arrest followed an investigation by the Department’s Bureau of Investigation.

According to the Health Department, the owner illegally sold vape juice through the mail, according to media reports. The business was also charged.

Authorities noted that the shop owner is the first individual arrested under a Public Health Law statute enacted in 2020, which criminalizes the shipment and distribution of vapor products.

“The widespread availability of e-cigarettes and vapor products poses significant public health challenges, with particularly alarming consequences for adolescents such as addiction and damage to their developing brain and lungs,” State Health Commissioner James McDonald said in a news release. “This arrest is a direct result of the state’s dedication to decreasing vaping, especially among young people.”

According to the Public Health Law, any second or subsequent unlawful shipment and transport of vapor products following a conviction would be a class E felony.