This week, I announced the most expansive state vaping investigation known publicly to date. As many of you know, I spent the summer traveling the state to find out what was behind the dramatic increase in vaping among our youth. According to the Florida Department of Health, nearly one in four Florida high school students now admits to using e-cigarettes—students have said that rate is much higher.
One study found two-thirds of young persons didn’t even know vaping products contained nicotine. Now we are hearing about vaping-related hospitalizations around the country. According to a recent report, in Florida there have been 68 cases of vaping-related pulmonary illnesses.
As a mother, I cannot sit on the sidelines while underage vaping skyrockets and our next generation becomes addicted to nicotine. It’s illegal under Florida law to sell these products to anyone under 18, yet vaping among our youth is out of control.
It’s my job, as Attorney General, to protect Floridians and that’s what I’m determined to do. That is why we are investigating more than 20 vaping companies doing business in Florida.
Our investigation will focus on the marketing practices and online sales strategies of these companies to determine if they have intentionally targeted minors, tempting them to vape.
Our investigation must be thorough and will take time, but staggering statistics showing that vaping is a growing epidemic among our youth requires action now.
In the meantime, I urge all parents—talk to your children about the dangers of vaping. Working together, we can protect our children and build a stronger, safer Florida.
In The News
AG Moody launches investigation into vaping companies, WFLA Tampa
Florida’s attorney general launching vaping investigation, Associated Press
Ashley Moody announces massive e-cigarette investigation, Florida Politics
Florida attorney general will investigate vaping companies amid uptick in youth use, Miami Herald
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody launches investigation into vaping companies, Orlando Sentinel
Moody leads 1st meeting of Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse, WJXT Jacksonville
Opioid Task Force convenes in Tallahassee, WCTV Tallahassee
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Recognizes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Attorney General Ashley Moody is recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by releasing information and resources for victims. Domestic violence affects thousands of Floridians every year, regardless of gender, race, religion, culture and status. The State of Florida, local governments and nonprofit organizations offers free resources for victims of domestic violence to use to help them escape their circumstances and bring justice against their abusers.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Many times, those in abusive relationships do not seek the help they need because they fear for their or their children’s lives, or they feel like their situation is hopeless. The power their abuser has over them is immense, and because of that many more may believe that because their partner isn’t hitting them, they aren’t being abusive—yet their partner yells, humiliates, stalks, manipulates and isolates them. I want to ensure the public is aware there are resources available and encourage anyone who feels they are not safe to seek assistance.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Calls on DEA to Reexamine Opioid Prescription Quotas to Help Curb the Opioid Crisis
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody joined seven states in pushing federal regulators to consider more information as they set manufacturing limits on prescription painkillers in hopes a more thorough review will lead to fewer overdose deaths as the fight against the opioid crisis continues. The coalition filed comments late Tuesday arguing Drug Enforcement Administration officials must do more to account for over-prescribing and expand its universe of information sources.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Seventeen Floridians are dying every day from opioid abuse, as the national opioid crisis continues to ravage our country. To help reduce the excess supply of prescription opioids and save lives, I am calling on the DEA to reexamine the quotas that drug manufacturers have for specific painkiller production. This action could help reduce drug overdose deaths by limiting the amount of leftover pain medication that could fall into the hands of Floridians struggling with addiction.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Secures 60 Years in Prison for Opioid Trafficker
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a total of 60 years in prison for a man trafficking prescription opioid pills in Florida. OSP secured the latest sentence Thursday, for Costadaryll Hughley, an Orange County man. The 15-year sentence for trafficking in Oxycodone 25-100 grams and Sale and Delivery of Hydromorphone will run consecutively with the 45 years in prison previously secured by OSP. The sentences follow a three-year investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Attorney General Moody’s OSP.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This case is a textbook example of how criminals exploit the excess supply of prescription opioids pouring into our state. Thankfully, through the hard work of the DEA and my statewide prosecutors, this drug trafficker should never be in a position to peddle dangerous and addictive opioids to Floridians ever again. Interdiction efforts like this are just another way we are fighting to end the opioid crisis in Florida and save lives.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody announced an expansive vaping investigation into more than 20 companies selling e-cigarette products in Florida. Attorney General Moody made the announcement at Tampa’s H.B. Plant High School and Oviedo High School outside of Orlando, joined by doctors, students, law enforcement and educators.
Attorney General Moody with Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma and deputies at Oviedo High School vaping investigation news conference.
Attorney General Moody with students and educators of Oviedo High School at the vaping investigation news conference.
Attorney General Moody at the White House in Washington, D.C. meeting with Office of National Drug Control Policy and Drug Enforcement Administration officials discussing ways to combat the opioid and youth vaping crises.
ONDCP Director James Carroll Jr., AG Moody and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Miami/Orlando Region Marcus Anderson
ONDCP Director James Carroll Jr., AG Moody and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Miami/Orlando Region Marcus Anderson
Attorney General Moody on Capitol Hill meeting with U.S. Senator of Florida Rick Scott.
Attorney General Moody meeting with two of Florida's U.S. Representatives, Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube.
Attorney General Moody congratulates her friends, Florida Senate President-Designate Wilton Simpson and House Speaker-Designate Chris Sprowls. Attorney General Moody looks forward to working with both Florida leaders for many years to come.
Attorney General Moody congratulates Assistant Attorney General Genevieve Bonan for winning the Young Lawyer of the Year Award from the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.
