Westport smoke shop suspended for 60 days after underage sales

WESTPORT — A Route 6 smoke shop has been suspended for 60 days after a police investigation revealed the business was selling nicotine products to underage customers.

When the Westport Police Department learned several students at Westport Junior-Senior High School had purchased the items at Cedars Smoke Shop, 35 State Road, School Resource Officer Kyle Fernandes coordinated compliance checks with a minor. The business sold to the minor on three occasions, never asking for identification, according to police.

Fernandes also contacted Marilyn Edge, Fall River's tobacco control director, who leads a collaborative that enforces tobacco laws in various Bristol County communities, including Westport. Edge also led compliance checks at the business, during which the business twice sold to a minor.

The Board of Health suspended the shop based on evidence provided by Fernandes and Edge, along with an earlier Food and Drug Administration violation for which the business had paid a fine.

Walid T. Assi, of 187 Thomas St., Fall River, is listed as president of Cedars Smoke Shop, whose signs refer to the business as Cedars Smoke 'n Vape Shop.