Westfield Becomes First In State To Regulate Electronic Smoking Device Sales

Westfield has officially become the first municipality in the state of New Jersey to regulate the sale of electronic smoking devices in their town - requiring any business that sells the products to purchase a license.

“The way it stands in New Jersey right now, anyone could be selling anywhere – there’s no regulation,” said Megan Avallone, Health Officer for Westfield’s Regional Health Department. “Unlike tobacco, where the state does have a license for that.”

An electronic smoking device can include, but isn’t limited to, anything from an “e-cigarette,” to electric cigars and hookah pens. 

According to Avallone, there are at least 10 locations in Westfield where electronic smoking devices can be purchased, but since there’s no regulation that number isn’t definite.

The new licensing regulation will require dealers to purchase a $200 annual permit within one month of receiving their application, which may be mailed out to shops as early as August.

Avallone said she has already hand delivered a copy of the ordinance to all businesses known to sell devices in town, however the objective is not to catch businesses selling the devices without a permit. 

“If we catch someone selling without a license the goal is not to ticket vendors, Avallone said. “The goal is to make them aware of the ordinance and give them 24 hours to get the license.” 

Westfield officials aren’t just worried about whose selling electronic smoking devices in town, but whose smoking them.

Data shows that from 2011-2012 there was a rapid increase in the amount of teens and tweens using electronic smoking devices – Avallone said she has seen data that suggests as much as a 100 percent increase.

 “Some of the studies are now showing that the e-cigarette can be really great at helping adults and aiding them at stopping smoking,” Avallone explained. “It’s [also] a gateway for teenagers and even tweens to start smoking.”

Money collected from the permits will allow Westfield to reinstate their Age of Sale Enforcement program by funding it on a local level. 

The program hires teens under the age of 19-years-old to attempt a tobacco purchase at local businesses to ensure those stores are adhere to the current age regulations set by the state.