Westport smoke shop owned by Fall River resident suspended for 60 days

A local smoke shop has been suspended after a hearing and investigation.

According to Detective Sergeant Christopher Dunn, on July 22, the Westport Board of Health conducted a hearing regarding Cedars Smoke Shop, 35 State Road Westport, for several violations of underage nicotine sales to minors. A corporation search reveals that Walid T Assi is the President of Cedars Smoke Shop of 187 Thomas Street Fall River, MA.

The Westport Police initiated this investigation as a result of several students within the Westport Junior/Senior high School being found with various nicotine products on their person. During the course of the investigation it was learned that students from this district were purchasing nicotine products at Cedars Smoke Shop. School Resource Officer Kyle Fernandes contacted Marilyn Edge, tobacco control director for the City of Fall River. Edge also directs a collaborative that enforces tobacco laws for various Bristol County communities, Westport being one of them.

With this information, School Resource Officer Kyle Fernandes conducted several compliance checks with an underage individual to purchase various nicotine products. The business sold to this individual on three different occasions and never asking for any identification. Edge also did compliance checks of this business and on two separate occasions, using an underage person, was able to purchase nicotine products.

At the hearing, evidence was given by Officer Fernandes and Edge regarding the recent compliance checks, as well as an earlier Federal Drug Administration violation which Assi paid.

As a result of the testimony of Officer Fernandes and Edge, the Westport Board of Health made a motion to suspend Cedars Smoke Shop for a period of 60 days.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine.