According to a report on July 10th by CBS, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has filed a lawsuit in federal court, requesting distributors to prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes that are appealing to children.
Adams expressed his concerns about the increasing rate of middle and high school students consuming e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. He believes that certain e-cigarette products contain nicotine levels equivalent to 175 to 350 regular cigarettes.
People who claim that these products are safe are mistaken. These products contain nicotine, a toxic and highly addictive chemical that is particularly harmful to the brain and body of teenagers.
This lawsuit involves four distributors, including Star Vape in Brooklyn and Demand Vape in Buffalo.
Officials stated that they distribute these products to retail e-cigarette and tobacco stores, convenience stores, as well as directly selling to consumers through the internet. The local police have confiscated thousands of dollars' worth of such products.
Legal counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix stated:
These flavors, including fruit, candy, and dessert flavors, are evidently designed to appeal to young people.
The lawsuit alleges that these distributors have violated city, state, and federal laws, including the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which is often used to combat organized crime syndicates. The adoption of this law against e-cigarette distributors demonstrates the strong opposition of anti-e-cigarette groups towards such products.
Meredith Berman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes, stated to the media:
The RICO laws are designed to investigate ruthless profiteers, who in this case are the companies acting like mobsters. They exploit taste to get children addicted.
In this lawsuit, compensation worth millions of dollars is being sought. CBS has attempted to reach out to the accused distributors involved in the litigation, but has not received an immediate response.
According to reports, Eric Adams will assume office as the 110th Mayor of New York City starting in 2022, representing the Democratic Party. In November 2013, Adams was elected as the Brooklyn Borough President, becoming the first African-American to hold this position, and was re-elected again in November 2017. On November 17, 2020, Adams announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City, and secured a sweeping victory in the election.
Cover image: Photo by The Associated Press/Seth Wenig
Reference:
[1] Mayor Eric Adams files federal lawsuit against 4 e-cigarette distributors
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