Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Monday that her office is suing eight online e-cigarette retailers for allegedly selling flavored tobacco products to Massachusetts consumers.
Healey said her office found that multiple out-of-state companies sold the flavored tobacco products to people under the age of 21, too. Massachusetts became the first state in the country to ban all flavored tobacco products in November.
"We did an undercover investigation. Sure enough, these companies are selling e-cigarettes that are banned, flavored products, but just e-cigarettes generally that are banned for sale to people under 21," Healey said on her monthly "Ask the Attorney General" segment on Boston Public Radio on Monday. "We caught them, we sued them, we've taken them to court to stop them from operating here."
The companies named as defendants in the suit include Ejuiceconnect.com, LLC, located in Florida; Fuggin Vapor Co., located in Florida; Lan & Mike International Trading Inc.; VaporDNA, located in California; Level Up Vapor, located in Kansas; Next Day Vapes, LLC, located in New Jersey; IPurchase Online, Vape Society Supply, Vape Society Supplies, located in Nevada; Suorin USA, located in California; and 2nd Wife Vape, LLC, located in Texas.
Healey maintains these companies use marketing that targets young people. According to her office, the companies named in the suit sell flavors that appeal to young people, including “Unicorn Frappe,” “Gingerbread Dude,” “Rainbow Nuggets,” “Bubble Gum,” “Cake,” “Maui Mango” and “Sour Gummy.”
"These are online retailers," Healey said. "My big issue with this is what's happening with young people."
