A popular tobacco and vape shop near Gurnee, which previously had its license suspended for selling to minors, has now had its license revoked by the county for again selling to minors.
The Lake County Health Department on Wednesday revoked the license to sell tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products at Moshi’s Tobacco and Vape, 34491 North Old Walnut Circle in unincorporated Gurnee.
The owner, Mousheer Karmash, is ineligible to apply for or obtain a tobacco retailer’s license for one year from the date of license revocation, according to county ordinance.
The revocation is the result of a hearing held on September 10 where it was determined that an employee of Moshi’s Tobacco and Vape sold electronic cigarette products to a person under the age of 21 on May 16 and on multiple other occasions, health officials said.
The May 16 violation occurred just eight days after the store’s license had been reinstated following a 14-day suspension handed down by the health department.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said that detectives conducted compliance checks in January at stores throughout Lake County that sell tobacco and nicotine products.
Moshis Tobacco & Vape, located at 34491 North Old Walnut Circle in unincorporated Gurnee, failed the January compliance check.
The tobacco and e-cigarette store was the subject of multiple complaints regarding sales to minors, Covelli said.
During the compliance check, the clerk sold a tobacco product to an underage child, Covelli said.
Detectives spoke to the clerk responsible and she lied about her identity by providing them with a false name and birth date.
“Keeping our community safe involves keeping our children safe from dangerous and harmful substances. When a business owner repeatedly allows the illegal sale of tobacco and vape products to minors, action must be taken,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said on Thursday.
“We hope the outcome of the September 10 hearing sends a message to other retailers to think twice about selling tobacco products to underage buyers,” Idleburg said.
Moshi’s Tobacco and Vape can remain open but is prohibited from selling tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products until the owner obtains a new license no earlier than September 25, 2025.
The store can appeal the license revocation by requesting a hearing before the Lake County Board of Health Hearings Committee or a judicial review.