A group representing New York restaurants and convenience stores has threatened legal action against rapper Snoop Dogg, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and wrestler Hulk Hogan for peddling illegal flavored nicotine vapes that have become popular among teenagers.
Despite being banned in New York and nationally by the Federal Drug Administration in 2020, companies are using the internet to peddle celebrity-endorsed flavors like Tyson Vape Lush Lime, Hulk Hogan Hulkmania Cotton Candy and Death Row by Snoop Dogg Blue Razz.
The device is sold in fruit and dessert flavors such as apple gummi, strawberry shortcake and cotton candy.
Despite the ban, the illegal market for these products is thriving because of lax enforcement from state and federal authorities — with children especially drawn to their sweet flavors, according to The New York Association of Convenience Stores.
Snoop Dogg’s nicotine device, Death Row Vapes in “Candy Flavor.”vapecentralgroup.com
The trade group sent a “cease and desist” letter to the three celebrities, demanding they cancel their endorsement deal with the manufacturer of illegal flavored disposable e-cigs.
“It’s bad enough that these illegal disposable flavored vapes continue to be sold on the black market with virtual impunity, but it’s sad that this illegal product now has a celebrity spokesperson to give this criminal enterprise its legitimacy,” said NYACS president Kent Sopris.
“Our members comply with the law and only sell reputable products. This joke needs to stop, these celebrities need to withdraw their support and New York and federal authorities need to get serious about enforcing the law.
The New York Department Store Association represents over 7,000 stores.
Mike Tyson’s “Tyson Vapes” product. vapetyson.com
In the “Dear Snoop Dog” letter, Sopris stated that the illegal “Death Row Vapes by Snoop Dogg” is available in 21 different flavors. Tyson was told in his letter that the illegal “Tyson 2.0 Heavyweight” vape product is available in 37 flavors.
“I am writing to inform you that – intentionally or unintentionally – you have lent your name and likeness to an illegal product that cannot be sold in the United States and is fueling the youth tobacco use crisis. Therefore, you lend credibility to an illegal enterprise and we demand that this situation be rectified immediately,” Sopris said in the letter.
“Disposable flavored vape devices like Death Row Vapes by Snoop Dogg have been banned by the FDA since 2020. However, these illegal devices, in 21 different flavors, are sold on the Internet and available for delivery anywhere in the US,” the letter to Snoop Dogg said.
Hulk Hogan’s “Hulkamania” disposable vape. worldvapeusa.com/
Sopris said convenience stores sell cigarettes and other tobacco but “take seriously their responsibility to sell only legal products to people who are legally qualified to buy them.”
“The endorsement of illegal products by celebrities like you is counterproductive to the efforts being made to get these products off the streets and out of the hands of young people,” he wrote.
“We ask that you terminate any endorsement agreements you may have with the manufacturer of this product, as your involvement gives credibility and ownership to this illegal vape.”
Although vaping has been banned since 2020, restaurants and convenience stores continue to sell it, and teenagers continue to use the device. mariiya – stock.adobe.com
A recent study conducted by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 2.55 million US middle and high school students use vaping, with nearly 85% of them using flavored e-cigarettes and more than half using disposable e-cigarettes.
The CDC’s 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that youth use of flavored disposable vapes is soaring compared to other tobacco products, which have been plummeting among youth.
New York City recently filed the first RICO Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act lawsuit against the four largest distributors of illegal disposable vapes.
“Those who say that this product is safe, that’s 100% false,” Mayor Eric Adams said in July when announcing the lawsuit. “These products are packed with nicotine, a toxic and highly addictive chemical that damages the minds and bodies of teenagers.”
NYACS recently issued a notice to parents about illegal disposable vapes masquerading as highlighters, ballpoint pens, USB drives or even cell phones. The device appears to be designed to help underage vapers avoid detection in academic settings.
Representatives for Snoop Dogg, Tyson and Hulk Hogan had no immediate comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
