New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a lawsuit on Nov. 7 against vape and e-cigarette seller and distributor Price Point in an effort to curb use among teenagers.
At a city hall press conference, Adams said that the Mayor’s Office has filed a lawsuit against Price Point for the alleged illegal sale and shipping of flavored disposable vapes, which are particularly popular with middle and high school students.
Price Point is a major dealer and shipper of vapes, e-cigarettes, and smoking accessories in the New York region.
City investigators observed that Price Point shipments violated numerous federal, state, and local statutes, and constituted mail fraud under RICO. The deliveries also violate city laws concerning delivery of disposable flavored vapes.
Price Point will also be charged with being a public nuisance for the negative health impact it had on many New Yorkers.
Flavored vapes have been banned in NYC since 2019.
City officials said that they hoped the lawsuit will send a message to similar companies who are doing business illegally and that it indicates that sellers cannot skirt the law by selling from outside NYC, as Price Point is located in Long Island.
According to a 2023 study, 22.4 percent of teens in New York used vapes. Vaping has recorded health detriments for the youth. This includes popcorn lung, asthma, long-term nicotine addiction, and a 3.6 to 4 times more likelihood to use marijuana in the next 2 years.
Federal law states that people under 21 cannot buy or consume vape or e-cigarette products. The mayor said that vape sellers and producers often market their products to youth.
“We have identified that these products clearly focus on young people,” Adams said.
Companies use vape flavorings, such as mango, watermelon, and strawberry shortcake, as well as appealing packaging, to promote their product.
Adams noted his administration’s accomplishments in the battle against illegal vape sellers.
“We were able to close over 1,200 unlicensed smoke shops, confiscated an estimated $84 million worth of illegal products, and seized thousands of illegal vape products,” he said.
The confiscated illegal items had “coloring and packaging that focused on our young people,” Adams said.
The mayor said that these actions against illegal vape sales have been part of his larger efforts to lower crime in his city and improve the quality of life in the city’s neighborhoods.
