Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced that 7-Eleven will pay $1.2 million to resolve allegations that the convenience store chain violated Washington, D.C.’s ban on selling electronic smoking devices within a quarter mile of middle and high schools.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) determined that since the law went into effect on October 1, 2022, 16 7-Eleven locations in the District illegally sold thousands of vapes and e-cigarettes in prohibited school zones. The chain had notified its stores in August 2022 of the upcoming restrictions, yet all 16 continued to stock and sell more than 7,500 devices after the law took effect.
“Selling vapes and e-cigarettes near schools is illegal because, particularly for young people, these nicotine products are addictive and unhealthy,” Schwalb said. “7-Eleven’s illegal sales threatened to reverse the progress we’ve made reducing tobacco use amongst youth. Protecting the safety of our community is our top priority at the Office of the Attorney General, and that includes enforcing local laws designed to protect the health of our children.”
The Flavored Tobacco Product Prohibition Amendment Act of 2021, which became effective in October 2022, bans the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of vapes, e-cigarettes, and similar devices within a quarter mile of any middle or high school in the District. Fines for violations start at $2,500 for the first offense and can escalate to $10,000, along with suspension or revocation of tobacco licenses.
OAG’s investigation revealed that 10 corporate-owned and six franchised 7-Eleven stores in D.C. ignored both the law and corporate compliance reminders. These locations continued selling devices that the ordinance clearly prohibited.
Under the settlement agreement, 7-Eleven must pay $1.2 million to the District and permanently end sales and marketing of e-cigarettes and vapes at stores located within the restricted school zones. The company is also required to provide annual training at corporate-owned stores, request that franchisees participate in training, and send yearly reminders to stores in school zones about the ban.
The settlement further obligates 7-Eleven to monitor franchise stores on a quarterly basis and notify OAG if any violations occur. If a franchise store receives four violations within two years, 7-Eleven must terminate that franchise agreement and report the termination to the District.
During the investigation, 7-Eleven began pulling electronic smoking devices from shelves and inventory systems at stores near schools. The settlement makes those measures permanent and prohibits any advertising of the products in school-zone stores.
While the settlement is final, some people took to social media to criticize the OAG’s announcement, noting that tobacco is still sold at the stores and local schools are still located within a quarter mile of marijuana dispensaries.
“But it’s cool to have a dispensary directly across the street from BASIS,” said social media user Mark Lyon, considering a charter school on 8th Street NW. “Appreciate the consistency.”
Others requested the OAG to list the 16 7-Eleven establishments referenced in the prohibited school zones, while others warned of what could happen next for the popular convenience store.
“Expect even more 7-Eleven closures in D.C.,” another social media user noted, quoting Schwalb’s announcement on X. “Meanwhile more pot shops – including those near schools.”