COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost launched a campaign to combat the spread of illegal vaping devices across the state, aiming to protect young people from the dangers of these unregulated products.
“There’s no telling what’s in these vape cartridges,” Yost said. “This is a consumer safety issue, especially for our developing youth. The presence of these unauthorized, unregulated vapes on the market is a serious threat.”
The Attorney General’s office filed complaints against three Ohio businesses – Orrville Tobacco and Vape Shop (Orrville,Wayne County), Central Tobacco (Delaware), and Elev8 Smoke Shop (Cincinnati) – for unfair and deceptive practices under the state Consumer Sales Practices Act. The charges allege the sale of illegal vapes, failure to disclose their illegality, and misrepresenting their authorization status.
Investigations allegedly revealed these shops continued selling flavored vapes despite a warning letter issued by Yost’s office in April 2024.
“Unauthorized vapes pose a significant public health risk,” Yost’s office said.
Health experts warn that inhaling the chemicals found in vapes, which often include formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, can endanger the health of Ohio residents, particularly adolescents.
Vaping: A Growing Concern
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly called e-cigarettes or vapes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid, usually containing nicotine, to create an aerosol for inhalation. These devices come in various forms,ranging from those resembling traditional cigarettes to sleek designs similar to pens or USB flash drives.
Federal law mandates pre-market authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all new tobacco products, including vapes, before they can be sold in the United States. To date, only 27 e-cigarette products, all tobacco or menthol-flavored, have received FDA authorization. Any vape product not authorized by the FDA, including those found in Ohio, is illegal.
Vapes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students. In 2023, a troubling 2.1 million students nationwide reported current vape use, including 9% of Ohio’s middle schoolers and a concerning 20% of high school students.
