New York sues vape distributors over Elf Bar and other fruit and candy e-cigarettes

New York Sues E-Cigarette Distributors for Targeting Youth

In a significant move to protect young people from the dangers of vaping,New York Attorney General Letitia james has filed a lawsuit against several major distributors of electronic cigarettes. The lawsuit alleges that these companies are violating state laws by selling flavored e-cigarettes that appeal to children, despite a ban on such products in the state.

Targeting the Supply Chain

This legal action marks a departure from previous lawsuits that focused on vaping manufacturers. Instead, New York is targeting the middlemen who supply flavored e-cigarettes like Puff Bar and Elf Bar to convenience stores and gas stations across the state. The lawsuit cites “widespread evidence of illegal conduct,” including documents that reveal illegal shipments of flavored vapes to New York.

The complaint includes images of brightly colored e-cigarettes resembling popular candy and soft drinks, with flavors like “fruity bears freeze,” “cotton candy,” and “strawberry cereal donut milk.” These flavors, despite being banned in New York since 2020, remain readily available thru these distributors.

Fighting Vaping’s Appeal to Teens

Attorney General James emphasized the seriousness of the issue, stating, “for too long, these companies have disregarded our laws to profit off of our young people, but we will not risk the health and safety of our kids.” she highlighted the potential for long-term harm, stating, “These flavored e-cigarettes are highly addictive and pose serious health risks to young people, including lung damage, heart disease, and addiction.”

The lawsuit seeks significant financial penalties from the distributors, as well as a permanent ban on the sale of flavored vapes in New York.

A shift in the Vaping Landscape

While the crackdown on flavored vapes might potentially be contributing to a decline in teen vaping rates, these disposable devices remain popular among young people. A 2022 court case revealed that one company alone sold over $132 million worth of Elf Bar e-cigarettes in just one year.

Even though the rate of vaping among teens has fallen to a 10-year low, the ongoing availability of these enticing products underscores the need for continued vigilance and strict enforcement of regulations.

Taking Action

This lawsuit serves as a crucial step in the fight against youth vaping. It highlights the obligation of distributors in ensuring compliance with public health laws and protecting vulnerable populations. Parents, educators, and policymakers must remain committed to supporting policies and programs that prevent youth vaping and promote healthier choices.

What steps do you think should be taken to combat youth vaping?

Archyde Interview: New York’s Legal Action Against E-Cigarette Distributors

An Interview with Christina Shaw, VP of Public Affairs, Truth Initiative

We spoke with Christina Shaw, VP of Public Affairs at Truth Initiative, about the recent legal action taken by New York Attorney General Letitia James against e-cigarette distributors and the impact on youth vaping.

Targeting the Supply Chain

Archyde: This lawsuit marks a shift from previous legal action, targeting distributors rather than manufacturers. Can you shed some light on why this approach is meaningful?

christina Shaw: Absolutely, targeting the supply chain is crucial because it’s where the illicit products are often channelled into retail. Distributors play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with regulations. When they bypass these rules, they’re directly contributing to youth access.

Fighting Vaping’s Appeal to Teens

Archyde: The lawsuit highlights the prevalence of illicit flavored e-cigarettes like Puff Bar and Elf bar. How are these products continuing to appeal to young people despite the ban?

Christina Shaw: Flavors are the doorway to teenage experimentation with vaping.sadly, these companies continue to use candies, fruits, and desserts to make their products attractive to youth.We need robust enforcement and plain packaging to reduce their appeal.

A Shift in the Vaping Landscape

Archyde: While teen vaping rates have fallen,these products remain popular. Why do you think disposable e-cigarettes are still a concern?

Christina Shaw: Disposables are cheap, accessible, and often unmonitored in retail settings. They’re ripe for illegal sales to minors and make it easy for youth to hide and use them. Plus, the availability of enticing flavors continues to drive experimentation.

Taking Action

Archyde: What steps can we take to prevent youth vaping and promote healthier choices?

Christina Shaw: We need strict enforcement of age restrictions, plain packaging, regular product testing, and strong public education campaigns. We should also support policies that increase the price of e-cigarettes and make it more tough for companies to target youth with marketing and advertising.

What steps do you think should be taken to combat youth vaping?