City of Calgary Lays Charges on Business Selling Vaping Products to Minors

The owner and manager of Gemini Convenience Store (# 1 5309 Rundlehorn Dr N.E.) in northeast Calgary has been charged with 42 counts of violating The Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act by City of Calgary business licence inspectors.  The charges include offences for selling vaping products to minors and for failing to request ID from customers under the age of 25. The corporation, Maple Gifts & Confectionary Enterprise Limited; the sole director, Nupar Vasistha; and the manager, Sudhakar Tandon have all been charged. If convicted they can face fines up to $10,000 on the first offence, and up to $100,000 for subsequent offences.

The investigation was conducted by City business licence inspectors as a result of public complaints via 311.  With the assistance of the Calgary Police Service the violations were observed, and the charges laid.

Chief Business Licence Inspector, Michael Briegel said, “I would like to thank those that reached out to us via 311 and would encourage others to do the same, if they learn of a business selling smoking and vaping products to minors. It is important that we protect the health of young people – age requirements are in place for these products for a reason.”

Given the seriousness of the charges The City of Calgary will also be conducting a licence review hearing for Gemini Convenience store.

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