A total of 27 businesses passed muster in a recent St. Charles Police Department conducted tobacco compliance check, but one was cited for selling a substance called “vape juice” to a minor.

Investigators from the St. Charles Police Department conducted the tobacco compliance checks on June 28, 2017. Businesses which are licensed to sell tobacco and/or nicotine alternative products are required by ordinance to sell only to people age 18 or older.

Using e-cigarettes is sometimes called vaping. The liquid in the e-cigarette, called e-liquid, is usually made of nicotine.

The checks were conducted using two confidential sources who were both under the age of 18. Both youths were provided compliance-based orientation and training prior to the operation. They were both closely supervised by St. Charles Police Department detectives throughout the operation.

Of 28 businesses checked, 27 refused to sell to the underage sources, but one business check resulted in a violation.

An employee of Rose Smoke N Vapor, 902 S. Randall Road, sold a nicotine alternative, “vape juice,” to one of the underage sources. The employee, Abdullah Baig, was cited for unlawful Distribution of an Alternative Nicotine Product to a Person Under 18, a petty offense. An initial court date was set for 9 am. July 20, 2017, at Kane County Branch Court in St. Charles. The business will also be cited. This business violation will be referred to the city of St. Charles Liquor Control Commission, which regulates local retail tobacco dealer licenses.

“The other 27 businesses which attempted to card the confidential sources and then refused to sell tobacco products when no I.D. could be produced are to be commended for their attentiveness,” Deputy Chief David Kintz said in a news release.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

SOURCE: St. Charles Police Department news release