JUUL Lawsuit Information

JUUL Lawsuit

On December 18, 2018 the United States Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued a warning regarding the dangers of e-cigarettes, with strict reference to the increase of use by teenagers. He warned that children of America protection from all tobacco products, including all shapes and sizes of e-cigarettes. “We must take action now to protect the health of our nations young people.” During this warning advisory, JUUL brand e-cigarettes were specifically mentioned often.

Large marketing campaigns helped quickly bring these products mainstream to non-cigarette smokers and those searching for a means stop smoking cigarettes. Many young adults have switched to e-cigarettes or “JUULing or vaping,” as it is referred to, with hopes to break addiction with traditional cigarettes only to find a new addiction has formed. Alternatively, those with no prior smoking history who assumed that vaping was safe and non-addictive have now learned that using these devices can be just as addictive and potentially harmful as traditional cigarettes.

What Is A JUUL Cigarette?

JUUL e-cigarettes, also known as vapes or vape pens, are a battery-powered device that heats up a controlled amount of liquid nicotine through what is known as a JUUL pod to generate an aerosol substance that users then inhale. This form of nicotine intake serves as an alternative to traditionally smoking cigarettes.

According to JUUL, 1 pod contains the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Users have the option of filling the pods with several flavored liquids to heighten their smoking experience. A recent study from The Lancet showcases that the liquid in JUUL pods are 5% nicotine by volume, which is more than double the concentration of nicotine in similar devices. JUUL’s device has claimed to “create peak blood-nicotine levels that are up to 35% higher than a traditional cigarette, but without the harsh sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette.” Numerous medical professionals are concerned as JUUL products deliver higher concentrations of nicotine than others on the market. JULL pods contain a number of chemicals that include glycerol, propylene glycol, benzoic acid, flavoring, and nicotine.

E-Cigarette Use Common Among U.S. Youth

The following data is referenced by the Surgeon General’s Report on e-cigarette use among teenagers and young adults:

• Over 3 million youth in middle and high school have used e-cigarettes in the past month (as of 2015)
• More than 85% of e-cigarette users ages 12-17 use flavored e-cigarettes

Additionally, according to 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data, e-cigarette usage among middle and high school students increased exponentially between 2017 and 2018 with over 3.6 million young adults currently using e-cigarettes (as of 2018).

What Are The Allegations Against JUUL?

Plaintiffs allege that JUUL had knowledge that their e-cigarettes were not safe under any circumstance for non-smokers and posed a risk of increasing nicotine addiction in individuals currently addicted to cigarettes. Additionally, plaintiffs also allege that JUUL was aware that its nicotine solution delivers more nicotine into a person’s bloodstream than traditional cigarettes, and in a quicker fashion.

Rather than transparently disclosing these facts, JUUL continued to display misleading information throughout its marketing campaigns and created a culture and community designed to encourage young people to use JUUL products. Although JUUL claims their products are exclusively intended for adult use, lawsuits claim the company’s advertising targeted teens under the legal smoking age, enticing them with sweet fruity flavors reminiscent of candy or popular children snack foods.

Stanford University researchers conducted an analysis of marketing techniques JUUL used to campaign their products and concluded that JUUL’s marketing was “patently youth-oriented,” in the first 6 months of advertising and becoming more “muted” but still effective in youth markets following the initially launched campaign. JUUL devices were heavily advertised throughout numerous social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where most U.S. school children and teenagers spend their time on the internet. Several media campaigns, and JUUL related hashtags were also launched through the platforms promoting the product with imagery of young people vaping and having fun while enjoying JUUL products.

Health Risks

In April of 2019, the FDA notified the public that some individuals, “especially youth and young adults” are reporting seizures following the use of vape devices. According the the FDA, the 35 reports that they had received of vaping device related seizures at the time occurred following vaping. The FDA notes that this is enough to warrant scientific investigation, and that the reports present may not represent all of the cases that occur.

We’re Here To Help

The attorneys at the Kagan Law Firm are currently reviewing cases involving harm, and adolescent addiction related to the use of JUUL brand vaping devices and products. If you or a loved one suffered a miscarriage, fetal injury, or delivered a baby suffering from birth defects following the use of JUUL devices or if your child under the age of 18 has become addicted to or harmed by JUUL vapes, we would like to speak with you.

To review your claim with an attorney, please contact our office directly at (239) 466-1161. Additionally, you may also fill out the form below and a member of our staff will contact you once your inquiry is received.