Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that 7-Eleven will pay $1.2 million to resolve allegations that the company violated DC’s ban on the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes within a quarter mile of middle and high schools. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) revealed that, since the ban went into effect in October 2022, sixteen 7-Eleven convenience stores near DC schools illegally sold thousands of electronic smoking devices. After OAG’s investigation, 7-Eleven removed electronic smoking devices from the shelves at stores within prohibited school zones. Now, as part of a settlement, the chain, in addition to paying a monetary penalty, must permanently stop all sales and marketing of these devices at its stores near DC schools, provide training to staff, and monitor franchise stores to ensure compliance with DC law.

“Selling vapes and e-cigarettes near schools is illegal because, particularly for young people, these nicotine products are addictive and unhealthy,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “7-Eleven’s illegal sales threatened to reverse the progress we’ve made reducing tobacco use amongst youth. Protecting the safety of our community is our top priority at the Office of the Attorney General, and that includes enforcing local laws designed to protect the health of our children.”