NY AG Sues Vape Companies for Child Marketing

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a federal lawsuit against nine vape companies, accusing them of illegally marketing flavored e-cigarettes to minors. The lawsuit targets distributors like Puff Bar and Elf Bar, alleging they use appealing packaging and social media campaigns to attract underage consumers, violating state laws. The legal action seeks hundreds of millions in damages and a ban on sales of these products in New York. This lawsuit marks a shift from targeting manufacturers to focusing on distributors, following past litigations involving companies like Juul Labs, which have settled for over $1 billion. Despite claims from industry representatives that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, the lawsuit highlights evidence of illegal shipments and products mislabeled as other goods. The state had previously banned all vaping flavors except tobacco in 2020, underscoring its commitment to protecting youth from the dangers of vaping.