A shuttered vape company agreed to pay over $50 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the Massachusetts Attorney General for illegal marketing to kids.
BOSTON — Maura Healey, the attorney general (AG) for the state of Massachusetts, announced that the now-defunct Eonsmoke has settled a lawsuit brought against the company and its partners for allegedly marketing their vaping products to youth consumers.
“Eonsmoke coordinated a campaign that intentionally targeted young people and sold dangerous and addictive vaping products directly to minors through their website,” said Healey. “We were the first to take action against this company and its owners, and today we are holding them accountable and permanently stopping them from conducting these illegal practices in our state.”
The settlement nearly $51 million and orders them to no longer sell, distribute, market, or advertise any type of tobacco products (especially vapes) within the boundaries of Massachusetts. Filed in Suffolk Superior Court, Eonsmoke and owners Gregory Grishayev and Michael Tolmach resolve allegations made by Healey’s office alleging that the defendants knowingly and directly targeted young people to sell its vaping products.
According to the attorney general’s office, this was done through marketing and advertising strategies intended to appeal to youth.
“Eonsmoke has agreed to a settlement amount of $50 million, and Grishayev and Tolmach will pay a total of $750,000,” notes the AG’s office.
“Under the terms of the consent judgment, pending court approval, Eonsmoke is permanently enjoined from selling, distributing, offering for sale, marketing or advertising any tobacco product through any means to consumers in Massachusetts.”
Eonsmoke ceased operations in April of 2020.
The owners issued a statement upon its closure at the time:
Dear Customers,
It is with great regret that due to rapidly declining circumstances, coronavirus, regulatory, and competitor litigations, we have ceased worldwide operations of Eonsmoke products.
We appreciate the 10 years of customer loyalty and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Please stay safe in this environment, wash your hands, and practice safe social distancing so we may defeat this virus and return to normalcy.
Sincerely,
Eonsmoke Team
