Roger Stone Is Lobbying for a Vape Firm Accused of Illegally Marketing to Kids
Ecto World, a Buffalo, New York–based company that distributes vape products and faces legal troubles, believed it needed an influential friend in Washington, DC. Over the past three years, officials in New York state and New York City have accused the firm of illegal business practices. In March, police in New York state seized more […]
Roger Stone, a former political adviser to President Donald Trump, is now lobbying for Ecto World, a vape company based in Buffalo, New York. Ecto World faces legal issues for allegedly illegally marketing vape products to children. The company, originally named Demand Vape, has been accused of shipping massive quantities of illicit vape products across New York state. In March, police seized over 28,000 pounds of these products.
Ecto World has been paying Stone $300,000 to lobby for the regulation of e-cigarettes and related products at the Executive Office of the President. Stone's lobbying efforts have also included clients such as two Native American tribes, a rare-earth mineral company, and cryptocurrency investor Roger Ver, who was indicted on federal fraud and tax charges. Stone has earned over $4 million in fees for his lobbying work.
In September, federal agents conducted nationwide raids to seize Chinese-made vape products, marking a broader crackdown on illegal imports. Trump's administration has also pressured the Food and Drug Administration to approve flavored vapes, despite concerns about their impact on minors.
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