The latest crackdown on problematic Stockton smoke shops has resulted in closure of 13 of them and the issuance of 50 citations, according to the Stockton Police Department.
Officers say they conducted 162 inspections and confiscated more than $100,000 worth of illegal or prohibited products found at the smoke shops.
The crackdown is in keeping with the Stockton City Council’s view that a proliferation of smoke shops has led to some of them becoming public nuisances. The city has required smoke shops to be licensed since 2023. But that action wasn’t enough to clear up abuses.
The council passed a toughened ordinance on smoke shops in February after receiving reports of a variety of violations. Authorities have been especially concerned about the selling of flavored tobacco products to minors.
“Businesses that choose to operate within the law and comply with licensing and regulatory requirements are welcome in Stockton,” the police department wrote on social media. ” However, businesses that knowingly violate tobacco laws, sell prohibited products, operate without the required licenses or otherwise disregard applicable regulations should expect continued enforcement action.”
The action is considered to be ongoing. In August, 2025, for instance, the department said it took 51 “enforcement actions,” including both citations and arrests, against the city’s problem smoke shops.
The sweeps have had far-reaching effects. In addition to the 13 smoke shops that were closed in the latest sweeps, the department said another 17 smoke shops have been converted into other types of businesses.
As part of the crackdown, officers said they worked undercover to ferret out illegal activity and sent underage “decoys” into suspected problem smoke shops to see if they could buy tobacco products which are off-limits to minors.
Police say that in 12 cases, smoke shop owners have appealed their license revocations or denials through administrative hearings. None prevailed.
The smoke shops that police identified as having been closed include:
Cali Smoke Shop, 1069 W, March Lane
H-Way, 134 E, Harding Way
Hotdalas, 3526 S. Manthey Road
Kingpin Smoke Shop, 3214 Pacific Ave.
Namaste Smoke Shop, 4975 West Lane
Namaste Vape & More, 9210 Thornton Road
Norcali Smoke Shop, 1239 E. Hammer Lane
Port City Clothing & More, 48 W. Harding Way
Side Show Smoke, 1312 E. Main St.
Smoke Locker, 1421 E. Harding Way
Sky Mini Mart, 163 Turnpike Road
Smoke N Vape Palace 209, 508 N. Wilson Way
Smokey Dungeon Smoke Shop, 4550 N. Pershing Ave.