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Garden State Plaza Vape Kiosk Caught In Paramus Police Sting

PARAMUS, N.J. -- Four of five vape merchants in Paramus did the right thing, but a kiosk in the Garden State Plaza that already had a mark against its record was caught selling pods to a minor during an undercover sting, borough police said.

Mint Vapes is located in the Garden State Plaza.

Mint Vapes is located in the Garden State Plaza.

Photo Credit: Paramus Police

Mint Vapes -- which previously received a warning for a similar incident -- was fined $250 for selling a four-pack of Juul pods to an 18-year-old sent in by police, Sgt. James Teehan said.

The minimum age for buying and selling both tobacco and electronic smoking devices in New Jersey was raised from 19 to 21 four months ago.

"We have noticed through our interaction with students and parents that many of our teenagers have an increased use of vaping products," said Teehan, a borough L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) officer.

The 22-year-old Mint Vapes employee from Little Ferry was the only worker at five locations targeted in the sting who didn't ask the teen for ID, he said.

Supported by police, the non-profit L.E.A.D. program (which replaced D.A.R.E.) works with educators, community leaders, families and support organizations to protect youngsters and communities from drugs, related crimes and bullying.

The program is establishing a curriculum for vaping that police expect to bring to schools by the end of the year, Teehan said.

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