New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday said the city is suing nine of the largest nationwide distributors of disposable e-cigarettes.
Popularly known as “vapes," the defendants, all of whom have close relationships with e-cigarette manufacturers in China, are alleged to be distributing e-cigarettes with such youth-attracting flavors as pink lemonade, watermelon, banana ice, lychee ice and cool mint to sub-distributors in the city that then supply them to retail stores or sell them directly to consumers in New York City and around the country through online sales, violating nearly every applicable federal, New York state, and New York City law governing the sale of e-cigarettes, according to a press release.
“Nicotine addiction among middle and high school youth is exploding — fueled in large part to the targeting of our children," said Adams. "Today’s lawsuit not only builds on our previous two lawsuits against distributors and wholesalers, but makes clear that we will do whatever it takes to keep our children safe and enforce the law when it comes to illegal vape sales."
The defendants in the lawsuit are:
- 10 Days, Inc. d/b/a Pod Juice: A California corporation with a principal place of business in Agoura Hills, Calif.
- EVO Brands, LLC: A Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in Los Angeles, Calif.
- Midwest Goods Inc.: A corporation formed under the laws of the State of Illinois with a principal place of business in Bensenville, Il.
- MYLÉ VAPE INC.: A New York corporation with a principal place of business in Ridgefield, New Jersey and Jamaica, N.Y.
- MVH I, Inc.: A New York corporation with its principal place of business in Ridgefield, N.J.
- Puff BAR Inc.: A corporation formed under the laws of the State of California with its principal place of business in Glendale, Calif.
- PVG2, LLC, d/b/a, “Puff Bar”: A Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in Los Angeles, Calif.
- Safa Goods LLC: A Florida limited liability company with its principal place of business in Port Charlotte, Fla.
- SV3, LLC d/b/a Mi-One Brands: An Arizona limited liability company with its principal place of business in Phoenix, A.Z.
