New York is suing a number of the largest vape distributors for allegedly fueling the nation’s youth vaping epidemic.
New York Lawyer Basic Letitia James introduced the lawsuit towards 13 main e-cigarette producers, distributors and retailers for illegally advertising and promoting standard flavored vape manufacturers like Puff Bar and Elf Bar to minors.
Promoting flavored nicotine vapes has been banned in New York since 2020, however the merchandise can nonetheless be present in nook shops and smoke retailers within the metropolis.
“The vaping industry is taking a page out of Big Tobacco’s playbook: they’re making nicotine seem cool, getting kids hooked, and creating a massive public health crisis in the process,” stated James.
“For too long, these companies have disregarded our laws in order to profit off of our young people, but we will not risk the health and safety of our kids.”
In 2018, then-Surgeon Basic Jerome Adams stated vaping amongst American youngsters had turn into an “epidemic,” warning that the gadgets threatened to hook a brand new technology on nicotine.
Almost 10 p.c of eighth graders, 15.4 p.c of tenth graders and 21 p.c of twelfth graders throughout the nation reported vaping nicotine within the 12-month span ending final December, in response to knowledge from the Nationwide Institute on Drug Abuse.
The lawsuit alleges that e-cigarette middlemen have violated state and federal legislation by advertising the gadgets to children and youths by creating product names and flavors interesting to youngsters like “Strawberry Donut,” “Cotton Candy,” and “Tropical Rainbow Blast.”
Prior to now, New York and several other different states sued main e-cigarette producer Juul Labs for a similar cause, leading to a $462 million settlement.
Since then, Juul has stopped promoting most flavored vapes with the exceptions being tobacco and menthol.
“Defendants are illegally perpetuating a cycle of harm from the old tobacco industry playbook: hide the harm and use appealing colors and flavors to hook kids for life,” the lawsuit states. “As a result, the youth vaping epidemic is unwinding the decades of work combatting youth cigarette use, which successfully resulted in a dramatic reduction in youth smoking rates.”
The lawsuit seeks tens of millions of {dollars} in fines in addition to to ban defendants from promoting flavored nicotine vapes to anybody or any retailer within the state and for them to difficulty “public corrective statements” concerning the well being penalties of vaping.
“This misguided action unfairly targets legitimate American businesses that employ thousands and contribute to local economies,” stated Allison Boughner, vice chairman of the American Vapor Producers Affiliation, in a press release.
“This lawsuit places undue burden on U.S. companies striving to comply with regulations, risking closures and layoffs at a time when economic stability is paramount.”
