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Illegal vape products disguised as school supplies targeting children

In just three years, the electronic cigarette manufacturer Juul has swallowed the American market with its USB key-shaped vapes.
Eva Hambach
/
AFP/Getty Images
In just three years, the electronic cigarette manufacturer Juul has swallowed the American market with its USB key-shaped vapes.

With the school year getting underway, Parents and teachers in New York are being warned about illegal vape products being sold to teenagers.

President of the New York Convenience Stores Association Kent Sopris says illegal flavored vape products disguised as school supplies like highlighters, USB drives and ink pens are designed to try and go undetected by teachers and parents. He says the underground market is flooded with them.

"My members don't see this stuff and it's the illegal retail stores like you are seeing in the cannabis space that are selling these products to school kids."

Sopris says they are not only illegal to sell to children but also could pose a health risk because the products are not regulated.