New York state has permanently banned a Fredonia business from ever selling tobacco products again and also suspended three other businesses in the county from selling tobacco products for a year.

At the Chautauqua County Board of Health meeting, it was announced that the state Department of Taxation and Finance Registration has permanently banned the owner of Fredonia Food Mart and Deli, located at 33 Temple St., from selling any tobacco products.

Fredonia Food Mart and Deli had previously sold tobacco products to individuals under 21 in January, 2023 and in February, 2024. Because of this, they were banned from selling tobacco products for a full year.

In August of 2024, the county Health Department discovered that Fredonia Food Mart and Deli was selling flavored vapes and Gutka, a smokeless chewing tobacco. The county contacted the state about the violation, which enacted the permanent tobacco ban.

In addition, it was announced at the Board of Health meeting that Cloudz, located at 361 East Fairmount Ave., Lakewood; The NF Zone at 45-47 Main St., Fredonia; and Dunkirk Express, located at 81 E. Fifth St., Dunkirk, have all been banned by the state from selling tobacco for a full year due to previous tobacco violations.

Jessica Wuerstle with the county Department of Health said the county has been following up on these businesses to see if they are continuing to sell tobacco products.

She noted that Cloudz had changed ownership and has been selling tobacco products. This move is under investigation.

“A license can be transferred, but it has to be an ‘arms length sale.’ In this particular circumstance, we suspect that the license was transferred to a relative, which is not allowed,” Wuerstle said.

There were two other businesses that were fined for violating state tobacco laws.

Fredonia Convenience, which had been located at 44 West Main St. in the village, was found guilty of offering for sale 10 flavored vapor products. The business was fined $2,750 total.

Wuerstle said at the board meeting that the business is no longer in operation.

“They kind of opened for a hot minute. Since then the facility has closed and now it’s being turned into a restaurant,” she said.

Bemus Exit, LLC, doing business as Bridgeview One Stop, located at 4910 Main St., Bemus Point, pleaded guilty to selling tobacco to a youth under 21 years of age. This is the business’ second violation in two years. It was fined $1,000 plus $250 surcharge.