NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York City has filed a federal lawsuit against 22 online sellers of flavored e-cigarettes.
"Preying on minors and hooking them on a potentially lethal, lifelong nicotine addiction is unconscionable," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. "This lawsuit sends a message: we will do whatever it takes to protect our kids and the health of our city."The suit comes as state and local governments across the nation have taken steps to limit children's access to e-cigarettes.
A number of companies included in the city's suit have been previously cited by the FDA for illegally selling to minors.
Artisan Vapor Company, headquartered in Irving, Texas, is accused of selling flavors including Pink Punch Lemonade and Wild Watermelon Lemonade while Central Vapors of McKinney, Texas sold flavors meant to mimic soda or candy, according to the suit.
No one was available to comment regarding the suit.
The suit says that as recently as 2017, 1 in 6 public high school students reported having used e-cigarettes within the past month. Nationwide, e-cigarette use by high school students jumped by 78% between 2017 and 2018, and rates of current e-cigarette use by middle school students increased by 48% during the same period, according to the suit."Defendants target youth in multiple ways, including by offering flavored e-liquids designed to mimic the taste of candy, children's breakfast cereals or sugary beverages, by selling small and inconspicuous devices that are easy for children to conceal from their parents, and by marketing on social media platforms that are popular with teens," the suit says.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of the death of a Bronx teen that was linked to vaping.
As of last month, there were at least 74 confirmed cases of people with serious lung illness after vaping in New York state, according to state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.