Latest news with #ConsumerProtectionOrdinance
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Baltimore sues Zyn manufacturer claiming nicotine pouch targets kids
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Baltimore has sued a major nicotine manufacturer claiming the company is marketing nicotine pouches to children and adolescents. The suit, filed by the city in Baltimore Circuit Court on Wednesday, accuses Phillip Morris International of violating Baltimore's Consumer Protection Ordinance through deceptive marketing practices to 'peddle' Zyn oral nicotine pouches to minors. 'The purpose of creating a flavored tobacco product is clear — it is meant to capture children and adolescents,' the city's complaint says. The complaint cites recent research which found that nearly 2 percent of middle and high school students report using nicotine pouches, and a separate survey where more than two-thirds of underaged respondents reported Zyn as their favorite brand of tobacco pouches. This is not the first time the city has targeted nicotine-related products with a lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing. Baltimore sued Juul Labs Inc. in 2020, accusing the electronic cigarette maker of promoting to minors. In September, the city reached an $8 million settlement with the California-based company. In 2022, the District of Columbia issued a ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products, which the Zyn manufacturer was accused of violating. As part of a settlement, the company was required to pay the District $1.2 million. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
CBS News
03-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Baltimore sues DraftKings, FanDuel over misleading promotions that encourage compulsive gambling
Baltimore City is suing online sports betting giants DraftKings and FanDuel, owned by Flutter Entertainment, over "predatory" practices and for encouraging compulsive gambling behavior. The city claims the sports betting sites use misleading promotions to attract new users and take advantage of their identify those who suffer from gambling addictions through analytics. The lawsuit argues that DraftKings and FanDuel are engaging in "deceptive and unfair practices by targeting and exploiting vulnerable gamblers in violation of Baltimore's Consumer Protection Ordinance (CPO)." "These companies are engaging in shady practices, and the people of our city are literally paying the price," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. "DraftKings and FanDuel have specifically targeted our most vulnerable residents—including those struggling with gambling disorders—and have caused significant harm as a result. This lawsuit is a critical step to hold them accountable and protect all Baltimoreans." Baltimore City argues in the complaint that DraftKings and FanDuel's persuasions are leading to addictions to their gambling platforms and then exploiting and targeting the most vulnerable. "Their predatory practices have caused significant harm to our community, and we are taking action to hold them accountable," said Baltimore City Solicitor Ebony Thompson, with the Baltimore City Department of Law.
