Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins signed legislation banning the sale of vaping devices and e-cigarettes designed to resemble everyday items, aiming to curb youth nicotine use.
Jenkins signed the measure on Tuesday, July 28, saying the law is intended to curb vaping device marketing and camouflaged designs aimed at young people.
"These devices may look completely innocent, but they are ultimately luring young people into an addicting nicotine habit," Jenkins said. He added that the county is committed to protecting children from deceptive marketing practices and helping raise "a generation that is healthy, resilient and free of harmful products."
The new law prohibits the sale, offering for sale or transfer of vaping devices disguised as common objects such as highlighters, USB drives, ballpoint pens, smartphone cases, smartwatches, toys, drink containers and backpacks.
Violators face fines ranging from $300 to $1,500 for a first offense and between $1,000 and $2,500 for repeat violations. Enforcement of the law will be handled by the Westchester County Board of Health.
School leaders across Westchester praised the measure, saying it will strengthen efforts to keep students safe.
Ray Sanchez, president of the Lower Hudson Valley Council of School Superintendents, said removing deceptive vaping products from the marketplace reinforces the healthy choices schools encourage students to make every day.
"Our schools work every day to help young people make healthy choices. [This legislation] sends a clear message that the health and safety of our children must always come first," he said.
More: What is a deceptive vape product
White Plains Superintendent Joseph Ricca said disguising vaping devices as items such as pens, markers and cosmetics makes it easier to hide harmful products from parents and educators.
"Westchester County is taking a strong stand in support of the health and safety of our children and families by making the deceptive marketing of e-cigarette and vaping devices illegal," Ricca said, praising Jenkins, and county legislators "for standing up for our children and ending the availability of these deceptive products in Westchester County."
County officials are also considering additional legislation that would authorize the county's Board of Health to enforce a ban on businesses possessing flavored nicotine vape products in Westchester County.
Flavored nicotine vapes are already illegal in Westchester, having been banned in New York State since 2020, with the New York State Department of Health citing a U.S. Department of Health study that showed 40% of high school seniors and 27% of high schoolers in the state were using e-cigarettes at the time of the ban.
In 2024, the number of high schoolers in the state who reported vaping regularly decreased to 18.7%, but Gov. Kathy Hochul says minors are still buying e-cigarettes with fruit, candy and soda flavors and colorful appearances at stores that continue to violate state and federal laws.
In September 2025, the state Department of Health and New York State Police charged 12 distributors with continuing to illegally ship flavored vape products within New York and sell to minors.
Includes reporting by Alexandra Rivera of USA TODAY Network-New York
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester bans disguised vape devices amid push to curb youth vaping