The state of New York is suing more than a dozen vape distributors, manufacturers, and retailers for reportedly focusing their marketing ads and strategy toward children and teenagers.
Officials argue that the companies named in the lawsuit fueled a youth vaping epidemic as they sold products that had cartoonish packaging and flavors. The latter include Baja Slushie, Strawberry Cereal Donut Milk, and OMG Blow Pop.
New York Sues Vape Distributors
State Attorney General Leticia James is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in civil fines and damages from the companies. The 16 corporate and individual defendants are accused of gross negligence and creating a public nuisance by selling fruit- and candy-flavored vapor products to impressionable children.
James added that the defendants in the case continued to do this despite knowing the health risks of their products. It also comes as a 2020 state law bans the sales of flavored vapor products and requires consumers to be at least 21 years old, according to Reuters.
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The New York attorney general said that the vaping industry is trying to make nicotine seem cool among the youth. She argued that companies are getting children hooked on vape products and are creating a massive public health crisis.
The lawsuit includes Demand Vape and Puff Bar. The former is a Buffalo, New York-based distributor of Elf Bar, arguably the most popular e-cigarette for middle and high school students. The latter is a Glendale, California-based firm that topped a survey in 2022.
Shipping Vaping Products Into the US
Federal health regulators have approved none of the products, but they are still being shipped into the United States. They are commonly mislabeled as batteries, cell phones, or other products to get them into the country, PBS News reported.
The nearly 200-page legal complaint by the state of New York cites "widespread evidence of illegal conduct, including documents showing illegal shipments of flavored vapes to New York." It also featured images of brightly colored e-cigarettes that resemble soft drinks and candy.
Furthermore, an investigation conducted by the attorney general's office found that the companies involved in the lawsuit made efforts to ensure that their products were available near schools. They also advertised to young consumers on social media.
Matthew Glauser, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Demand Vape, argued that the lawsuit wastes state taxpayers' money and federal court time. According to the New York Times, it should be focused on other issues instead.
