Officers seize more than $22,000 worth of banned fragrance devices in East Providence

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) — The East Providence Police Department and the East Providence Prevention Coalition recently released details regarding compliance inspections for electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) retailers.

The release said that during the inspection, one retailer was found to be selling ENDS products, known as vaporizers or e-cigarettes, to minors and was also selling prohibited flavored devices valued at more than $22,000.

This compliance inspection and seizure comes on top of previous compliance inspections during which the departments destroyed more than $13,000 worth of illegal ENDS products.

According to the release, the department has stepped up enforcement efforts to ensure illegal products are not sold to minors.

In Rhode Island, retailers must have an ENDS license to sell such devices.

They must also sign an attestation acknowledging that ENDS flavored products are banned in the state and agreeing not to sell them.