Health officials bust vendors, promoters at N.J. e-cigarette convention for indoor vaping (The Star- Ledger, Susan K. Livio)
Posted on
The Star-Ledger reported that from June 17-19, 2015, the Edison Convention and Exposition Center allowed for the NJ Vape Expo to host and promote a weekend-long vaping event inside the Center. The 2010 Smokefree Air Act does not allow for the use of electronic smoking devices anywhere smoking is banned, and that the law does not exempt private club or membership organizations, noted by GASP Executive Director Karen Blumenfeld, Esq.
Senator Joseph Vitale’s office was alerted to the event by Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy’s Executive Director Karen Blumenfeld, Esq. The event was being was marketed online as an indoor vaping opportunity. Senator Vitale went to the Expo to investigate. The reporter noted that fines were issued to the Center, event organizers, and some booth exhibitors and attendees who were in violation. Approximately $50,000 in citations were issued by the local and county health department officials.
Jay Elliot, director for the township Division of Health and Human Services, said “health officials from Edison and Middlesex County wrote citations against vendors over the course of the weekend for allowing customers to vape inside”. The Expo closed early on Sunday, according to the news story.
Read the Star-Ledger article hosted on NorthJersey.com. See photos from the reporter’s story depicting violations:
2015 NJ Vape Expo photo of booth sampling inside the NJ Convention and Expo Center
2015 NJ Vape Expo photo of sign that states vaping is allowed in exhibit hall (Expo Center).
2015 NJ Vape Expo photo of vape haze in the Expo Center.
2015 NJ Vape Expo photo of unused outdoor exhibitor tables.
