Suffolk police: 17 people arrested in one week during Operation Smoke Out

Operation Smoke Out continues in Suffolk County and there have been 17 arrests so far, police say.

The county launched the initiative last week in a push to increase compliance checks and crack down on illegal and underage vape sales.

Investigators say during a compliance check, a worker sold flavored vape products to someone under the age of 21 who was working undercover with law enforcement. A large amount of flavored vaping products was also seized.

Similarly on Wednesday, Suffolk police say they arrested a worker at Mini Mart in Deer Park for selling a flavored vaping product to an underage, undercover agent. Additionally, a large amount of vaping products were seized.

The American Lung Association told News 12 that while it sees use of tobacco products declining in teens, the same can't be said for vaping-related items.

The Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association said its stance is that vaping products should never be sold or marketed to minors, and that the group is educating members to laws and making sure the information is communicated to employees.