DC Non-Revenue Information Lawsuit Towards E-Cigarette Firm QR Pleasure
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 29, 2025 – Immediately, Breathe DC filed a lawsuit in opposition to QR Pleasure, Inc. and QR Pleasure Fume, LLC within the Superior Court docket of the District of Columbia. The Criticism is on behalf of most of the people of the District of Columbia, together with District of Columbia customers, and is introduced below the District of Columbia Shopper Safety Procedures Act (“CPPA”), D.C. Code §§ 28-3901–13. This lawsuit challenges the misleading advertising and marketing practices employed by QR Pleasure concerning the nicotine energy of its e-cigarettes offered below the model identify “Fume.”
Learn the criticism right here>
The criticism alleges that QR Pleasure misleads customers with using “5%” nicotine labels which are ambiguous and lack transparency. The labels trigger customers to underestimate the nicotine efficiency of those vape merchandise and consider that their use is unlikely to lead to dependancy.
As well as, the criticism alleges that QR Pleasure intentionally targets its advertising and marketing towards younger individuals, a gaggle significantly susceptible to focused promoting. This conduct is alleged to be misleading, as people below the age of 21 are prohibited from buying e-cigarettes.
Regardless of this authorized restriction on buy age, younger customers within the District can simply buy QR Pleasure’s product on-line as a result of firm’s failure to implement significant age verification measures. Many younger customers, as soon as uncovered, grow to be hooked on nicotine and face substantial issue quitting as a consequence of its extremely addictive nature.
Moreover, QR Pleasure markets and sells flavored Fume e-cigarettes within the District, regardless of these merchandise being prohibited on the market below DC legislation. This observe misleads customers into believing that flavored Fume vapes are legally out there within the District.
Breathe DC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group headquartered within the District of Columbia, works to finish the devastating influence tobacco and nicotine merchandise have on D.C. communities, particularly communities with well being disparities.
“Fume’s reputation, particularly with youth, threatens the progress in the direction of a nicotine and tobacco-free future,” says Lori A. Taylor, Government Director of Breathe DC. “This lawsuit not solely seeks to finish Fume’s misleading conduct, however to guard essentially the most susceptible individuals locally.”
“E-cigarette corporations’ shameless advertising and marketing to youngsters can’t be allowed to proceed,” stated Chris Bostic, Coverage Director of Motion on Smoking and Well being. “Nicotine dependence is a critical well being situation, and we have to defend youngsters in opposition to a lifetime of dependancy.”
By submitting this lawsuit, Breathe DC seeks to halt QR Pleasure’s misleading and illegal promoting practices within the District of Columbia. To be taught extra about Breathe DC’s work, please go to: breathedc.org.
BREATHE DC
Breathe DC is the one native Capital space non-profit group solely devoted to cleaner air and wholesome respiratory. The group actively advocates for stronger legal guidelines and insurance policies to safeguard wholesome air and defend lungs from smoke, air air pollution and allergens. Breathe DC public well being packages empower adults and youth with lung ailments equivalent to bronchial asthma to steer fuller, extra lively lives.
