New York City Sues Flavored E-cigarette Distributor Again, Stating Never Stand Idly By

New York City sues flavored e-cigarette distributor again, stating 'never stand idly by'

New York City has once again sued an electronic cigarette product distributor, accusing them of selling disposable flavored e-cigarettes popular among teenagers and demanding that they pay economic compensation and fines. Previously, the authorities had filed several lawsuits involving 15 distribution companies.

 

On November 7th, according to the New York City office, Mayor Eric Adams stated that the city is filing a lawsuit against a distributor of disposable flavored e-cigarettes. The target of this lawsuit is Price Point Distributors, a company located in Long Island. The purpose of the lawsuit is to prevent the company from further sales and to demand uncertain economic compensation and fines.

On March 15, 2024, someone purchased an unauthorized AIR BAR NEX 6500 Puffs Pink Lemonade flavored electronic cigarette for sale on pricepointny.com. Source: Office of the Mayor of New York City

The Adams government stated that,

 

Price Point has been promoting nicotine to our children for too long out of greed, and we won't do it again today

 

We will not stand idly by when they continue to harm our children, and we will not tolerate this level of crime and chaos, including the illegal sale of drugs, e-cigarettes, and other illegal marijuana products

 

Previously, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill in 2020 that banned the sale of flavored e-cigarette products in five administrative districts.

 

In July 2023, the Adams government filed a federal lawsuit against four major distributors and announced a second lawsuit against 11 e-cigarette distributors in April 2024. These two cases are still under trial.

 

Adams stated that they are also working with the city education bureau to address this issue.

Price Point on sale product display | Image source: Screenshot of Price Point official website

Muriel Goode Trufant, legal counsel for the city's agency, stated that companies selling flavored e-cigarette products are "abusing our laws and damaging public health.

 

She said, "By selling disposable e-cigarettes with flavors that children enjoy - such as marshmallows, raspberry watermelons, and cherry cola - the defendant prioritized profits over the well-being of teenagers

The National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that over a 30 day sample period, one in ten middle and high school students in the United States (more than 2.5 million) used electronic cigarettes. A survey report conducted by the organization one year later showed that flavored e-cigarettes are still the "most popular product" among teenagers.