New York Sues Vape Companies Over Alleged Youth Targeting and Illegal Sales

The lawsuit accuses major e-cigarette distributors of violating state and federal laws by marketing flavored vapes to minors and seeks hundreds of millions in damages.

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against 13 e-cigarette companies, including Puff Bar and Demand Vape, alleging illegal sales and marketing practices targeting youth.
The lawsuit claims the companies violated a 2020 New York law banning flavored vapes and used deceptive advertising to portray e-cigarettes as safe and appealing to minors.
Flavored e-cigarettes, such as 'Strawberry Donut' and 'Tropical Rainbow Blast,' were allegedly marketed with colorful packaging and social media campaigns to attract young users.
The state is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties, restitution, and the establishment of a fund to address the youth vaping crisis in New York.
E-cigarettes remain the most used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students, although youth vaping rates have significantly declined since 2019.