New York Attorney General Letitia James and the New York State Department of Health have filed a lawsuit seeking to close Royalty Tobacco, a vape shop in Otsego County. The suit aims to permanently ban its owners, Eysa Sharhan and Ahmed Mozeb, from selling vapor products in New York. The lawsuit alleges that the store owners repeatedly violated public health laws by selling vapes to minors and continuing to sell flavored vapes despite a statewide prohibition.
“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.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added: “The widespread availability of e-cigarettes and vapor products poses significant public health challenges, with particularly alarming consequences for adolescents such as addiction and damage to the developing adolescent brain, lungs and overall health. The Department of Health remains committed to decreasing vaping among young people through education and through our investigations like this. With partners like Attorney General Letitia James, we will hold those accountable who violate the laws made to protect our children.”
According to findings from a multi-year investigation by the Department of Health (DOH), Sharhan’s and Mozeb’s businesses in Oneonta were involved in repeated illegal sales:
– Pop-In Smoke & Vape was found selling thousands of flavored vapes and making sales to underage customers. Its licenses were permanently revoked by the Department of Taxation and Finance in January 2023.
– Pufftopia opened at the same location after Pop-In Smoke lost its licenses but was closed by state authorities in November 2024 for illegally selling cannabis.
– Royalty Tobacco opened nearby later in 2024 and has continued selling flavored vapes—including sales to minors—despite receiving citations.
Inspections as recently as September 2025 documented hundreds of flavored vapes available for sale to underage buyers at Royalty Tobacco.
Under state law, retail sale of flavored nicotine vapor products is prohibited, as is any sale of nicotine products to individuals under 21 years old. All three stores operated without valid licenses while selling banned products to minors. Over three years, DOH issued numerous administrative decisions against these shops along with more than $195,000 in fines.
With this lawsuit, Attorney General James seeks permanent closure of Royalty Tobacco’s operations, prohibits Sharhan and Mozeb from further vape product sales in New York, and aims to recover fines, penalties, and profits linked with illegal sales.
Attorney General James acknowledged collaboration with Commissioner McDonald and DOH on this matter.
This legal action continues Attorney General James’ efforts against youth vaping. Previous measures include lawsuits against major vape distributors for contributing to youth vaping rates; litigation against other retailers violating state laws; securing settlements from manufacturers such as Juul; urging federal regulation on e-cigarettes; ordering immediate cessation of illegal sales across retailers; and organizing discussions with stakeholders about youth vaping concerns statewide.
The case is being managed by Charissa Kim from OAG with support from Assistant Attorney General Joy K. Mele under Health Care Deputy Bureau Chief Leslieann Cachola and Bureau Chief Darsana Srinivasan within the Division of Social Justice led by Meghan Faux.
