JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville vape shop owner said parents need to do more to keep their children from buying products marketed to them.
RELATED: Florida cracks down on illegal vapes designed to target kids
Starting in March, vape store owners in Florida could face significant fines for selling illegal vapes designed to target kids.
The Attorney General’s office compiled a directory of more than 150 items that must be taken off shelves.
Kairollos Mikhaeil, owner of Smoky Bubble Vape Shop on Beach Boulevard said he didn’t even know about the directory until New4JAX reached out to do this story.
“And to just make a point, get this off the shelf, what? You make me lose business, this is going to affect the tax at the end of the month, and affect the tax at the end of the year,” Mikhaeil said.
At least two of the banned products are sold at his shop: Lost Mary Banana Flavor and the Geek Bar.
He has 60 days to get these off the shelves or he will be fined $1,000 per illegal device.
“This is not fair,” Mikhaeil said. “The fair thing is if I sell to someone 21, yeah you have all the right to give me the trouble but just to give me a hard time for some flavors I only sell for adults over 21 it doesn’t make any sense. If there’s a company, go deal with the company.”
Notices were sent to more than 150 manufacturers on Jan. 31, according to the Florida Retail Federation. Manufacturers have 30 days to appeal.
However, it’s unclear if notices were issued to shops. Mikhaeil said he never received one and it’s up to parents to step in, not vape shop owners.
“My part I do it, ‘Hey where your ID? Under 21 please leave the shop. Your house, your school, do the part,” Mikhaeil said.