NYC Sues 9 Vape Distributors Over Flavored Sales

New York City officials announced Tuesday they have filed a federal lawsuit against nine major distributors of disposable flavored e-cigarettes, accusing them of illegally selling youth-attracting products into the city in violation of federal, state, and local laws.

Mayor Eric Adams and Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant stated the lawsuit targets so-called “master distributors” allegedly sourcing flavored vapes – such as pink lemonade, watermelon, and cool mint – from manufacturers in China. The city claims these distributors supply smaller operations within the city or sell directly to consumers online, circumventing laws designed to prevent youth access to nicotine products. Disposable e-cigarettes remain the most popular nicotine delivery device among middle and high school students, according to federal data cited by the city.

Targeting the Supply Chain

The lawsuit seeks to halt further sales of these alleged illegal products into New York City by the defendants and demands monetary damages and penalties. It represents the latest phase in the Adams administration’s ongoing campaign against the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, which officials described as addictive and appealing, particularly to teenagers.

“Nicotine addiction among middle and high school youth is exploding — fueled in large part to the targeting of our children,” Mayor Adams stated in the announcement. “Today’s lawsuit… 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.” He linked the effort to the city’s broader “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative, which has targeted illegal cannabis shops.

Corporation Counsel Goode-Trufant added, “This case builds on the city’s ongoing efforts to hold predatory companies accountable for undermining public health and fueling an epidemic of vaping among youth in our communities.” City Hall Chief Counsel Allison Stoddart emphasized, “It is illegal to sell flavored e-cigarettes in New York City.”

Specific Allegations and Defendants

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges the defendants violated multiple statutes. These include the federal Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, which largely prohibits non-face-to-face e-cigarette sales; New York Public Health Law § 1399-ll (1-a), restricting deliveries; and New York City Administrative Code § 17-715, which explicitly bans the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. The city also alleges the companies created a common law public nuisance by endangering public health.

The nine companies named as defendants in the suit are:

10 Days, Inc. d/b/a Pod Juice (California)
EVO Brands, LLC (Delaware/California)
Midwest Goods Inc. (Illinois)
MYLÉ VAPE INC. (New York/New Jersey)
MVH I, Inc. (New York/New Jersey)
Puff BAR Inc. (California)
PVG2, LLC, d/b/a, “Puff Bar” (Delaware/California)
Safa Goods LLC (Florida)
SV3, LLC d/b/a Mi-One Brands (Arizona)

Context of Youth Vaping and Previous Lawsuits

City officials referenced federal data highlighting the persistent issue of youth vaping. According to 2024 figures from the FDA and CDC, 1.6 million middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use. Flavored products remain the dominant choice among youth, according to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which found e-cigarettes were the most used tobacco product among students for the tenth consecutive year.

This legal action follows three previous lawsuits filed by the Adams administration since July 2023 against other distributors and wholesalers allegedly involved in the illegal flavored vape trade. Those cases are reportedly still pending. The current lawsuit is filed as related to a similar case brought by the New York Attorney General’s office in February 2025. The city administration stressed its commitment to using legal action and enforcement to protect young New Yorkers from addictive nicotine products.

News source: Mayor Adams, Corporation Counsel Goode-Trufant Announce Lawsuit Against Nine Major National Distributors for Illegally Selling Disposable Flavored E-Cigarettes, Celebrate new Phase of Highly Successful “Operation Padlock to Protect” Initiative

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.