New York Attorney General Letitia James and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) today filed a lawsuit to shut down Otsego County smoke shop Royalty Tobacco and permanently ban its owners from selling vapor products (vapes) in New York. In the lawsuit, Attorney General James alleges that store owners Eysa Sharhan and Ahmed Mozeb have repeatedly violated New York’s public health laws by illegally selling vapes to children and teens, and for continuing to sell illegal flavored vapes despite a statewide ban. The duo has also repeatedly taken extreme action to evade state enforcement, twice opening new businesses under different names after their license was revoked.

“Despite repeated warnings, fines, and license revocations, these business owners have continued to ignore the law and endanger young New Yorkers’ health,” said Attorney General James. “Our children’s health and safety are nonnegotiable. My office will not allow bad actors to put profits over people. We are taking action to shut down this store and ban its owners from the vape industry once and for all.”