Four e-cigarette distributors from across the state, including two in the five boroughs, are now facing a lawsuit from Mayor Eric Adams over accusations of illegal sales of vape products to minors.
Adams said on Monday that he is looking to tackle illegal sales due to the prevalence of flavored vapes being used by minors, adding that many studies show that those e-cigarettes have nicotine levels much higher than the average cigarette.
Adams emphasized that studies show that the use of vaping in children can negatively impact their ability to concentrate and learn.
The lawsuit is targeting Buffalo-based Magellan Technology Inc. and Demand Vape, as well as Queens-based Empire Vape Distributors and Brooklyn-based Star Vape.
Adams and other elected officials say that after multiple inspections, the distributors were found selling exotically flavored disposable e-cigarettes to retail vape and smoke shops, convenience stores, and even directly to consumers online.
“It’s honestly disgusting. I have asthma, and me taking one puff of that is really strong and it hurts,” said Adams. “I can only imagine what these baby lungs are going through… even the bodegas have them on every corner, and at this point they’re not even IDing people.”
The illegal e-cigarette sales violate several federal, New York state and New York City laws that oversee the sales of these products.