Cease and desist order served to Massachusetts business for allegedly selling vaping products in defiance of moratorium

Chief Scott Allen reports that the East Bridgewater Police Department assisted the East Bridgewater Board of Health in serving a cease and desist order to a local business after they were found to be allegedly selling vaping products during the statewide ban.

The owner of Lifestyle Vape, 626 Bedford St., was given a cease and desist order written by the East Bridgewater Board of Health. The order was delivered to the store by police on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

The order comes after several complaints from residents to police throughout the month of October that Lifestyle Vape was continuing to sell vaping products during the state issued ban. Some of the complaints mentioned the alleged sale of products to minors.

On Sept. 24, Gov. Charlie Baker declared a public health emergency in the state, banning the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products. On Wednesday, state health officials announced the death of a second person who is believed to have died from a vaping-related death.

As a result of the citizen complaints, the East Bridgewater Police Department launched an investigation.

While conducting surveillance outside the store on Tuesday, an East Bridgewater Police detective observed a man walk out of the store and place an item into one of his pockets. The man then left the parking lot in his vehicle.

Approximately 20 minutes later, in an unrelated incident, an East Bridgewater Police officer pulled the same driver over for failing to stop at a stop sign.

After hearing that the man had been pulled over, the detective arrived at the scene and spoke to the operator. Through the ensuing investigation, it was determined that the man had purchased a vaping product from Lifestyle Vape. The item was then seized as evidence.

Town health officials were notified of the alleged incident and the cease and desist order was issued. The business could also face fines and other disciplinary action from the town.