The Village of Arlington Heights has suspended a business license issued to Luxury Vape and Smoke Co. for failing a tobacco sale compliance check. The business is prohibited from operating for a 30-day period – August 21st through September 19, 2023.
The Arlington Heights Police Department opened an investigation into the unlawful sale of tobacco products to minors by Luxury Smoke and Vape Co. located at 1039 S. Arlington Heights Road. Acting on information provided by community members, police officers conducted surveillance on several occasions and observed minors frequenting the business. Police Department staff conducted four compliance checks over the course of several weeks utilizing Police Department special agents under the age of 21. Employees of Luxury Smoke and Vape sold tobacco products to underage agents on three of the four occasions. In one instance, the police agent was identified by a store employee after checking his/her state ID and determined they were under 21. A store employee suggested the police agent join the store’s rewards program and the sale would be completed. Ultimately, a store employee and the business were cited under the Village’s Municipal Code for selling a product containing nicotine to a minor and for failing to display a regulatory sign that informs consumers sale and possession of tobacco products to anyone under 21 is prohibited by law. The two local ordinance violations were adjudicated by the Village’s Administrative Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer entered a finding of liable as to both violations and assessed separate fines.
Luxury Smoke and Vape Co. was cited for a similar offense in 2021 and 2022 after failing annual compliance checks, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department. Additionally, the Police Department learned that the Cook County Department of Revenue conducted an inspection of the business in June 2023, during which the business was cited for failing to register as a tobacco retailer.
Results of this investigation were reviewed by Arlington Heights Village Manager Randall Recklaus. The Village Manager holds authority to suspend a business license up to 30 days, according to Municipal Code. In light of the cumulative number and significant recurring violations, Luxury Smoke and Vape’s business license has been suspended for 30-days. A sign apparently posted by the business on the front window stated the store was closed for maintenance “until further notce.”
Under normal circumstances Luxury Smoke & Vape is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
The Village of Arlington Heights and its Police Department are committed to protecting the health and well-being of our community’s youth and will continue to proactively conduct compliance checks at all businesses licensed to sell tobacco and alcohol related products.
— Arlington Heights Police Department
According to the Arlington Heights Police Department, the investigation was initiated due to members of the community alerting authorities of potential unlawful activity. The police appreciate the community’s partnership in maintaining our Village as a safe space. The public can anonymously report an establishment believed to be selling to underage persons by calling Crime Stoppers at: 847.590-7867 or pass information along via email (not anonymous) to [email protected] …
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