What is JUUL?
JUUL is by far the most popular brand of e-cigarettes on the market. It is known for its discreate flash drive shape making it easy to conceal and use in public places like schools. These e-cigarettes use disposable cartridges also known as “pods”. JUUL pods package nicotine salts from leaf tobacco in a variety of fruity flavors appealing to younger smokers. Although inhaling JUUL is smoother than the rough irritants affiliated with cigarettes, it’s not a healthy alternative. In fact, a single JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as one pack of traditional cigarettes.
How is JUUL different than other e-cigarettes?
Unbeknownst to many users, JUUL contains significantly higher concentration of nicotine than conventional e-cigarettes on the market. In fact, one pod contains over 5% nicotine leading to extreme addiction. In fact, one study found that JUUL is so addictive it led to the “largest ever recorded [increase in substance abuse] in the past 43 years for any adolescent substance used in the U.S.”
JUUL is also backed, owned, and beholden to big tobacco. Altria, the corporate conglomerate previously known as Phillip Morris—one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of tobacco cigarettes—purchased a 35% stake in JUUL for approximately $12.8 billion. JUUL effectively used big tobacco’s marketing techniques while targeting minors which lead to it exceptional growth (75.8% of the e-cigarette market).
Claims against JUUL
Individuals and government agencies have accused JUUL of engaging in false and deceptive marketing. Specifically, JUUL attempted to brand itself as a “safe” alternative to smoking and as a means to stop smoking traditional cigarettes.
JUUL also launched an aggressive online marketing campaign allegedly targeting minors. Because social media platforms, for example, are primarily used by adolescents, JUUL was able to easily target and manipulate youth by using advertisements designed to fulfill powerful psychological needs like popularity, peer acceptance, and a positive self-image. JUUL’s ads consistently used attractive young models smoking JUULs and partying in provocative, sexual settings to lure the next generation of nicotine addicts.
According to a recent US Congressional report, JUUL “deliberately targeted children in order to become the nation’s largest seller of e-cigarettes.” More specifically, the report stated as follows:
- JUUL operated a program in which they paid schools for access to student classroom programs in which JUUL’s messaging was that their product was “totally safe”;
- JUUL targeted teenagers by buying access to out-of-school programs and set up summer camps to recruit children as young as third graders; and
- JUUL used a sophisticated and high-cost social media influencer program to promote online marketing to youth. Id.
Harmful Effects of JUUL
Nicotine itself is a carcinogen, as well as a toxic chemical associated with cardiovascular, reproductive, and immunosuppressive problems. Nicotine can harm the heart, lungs, eyes, reproductive system, and kidneys. Exposure to nicotine can also result in an increased risk of Coronary Vascular Disease by producing acute myocardial ischemia as well as an increased risk of peripheral arterial disorders.
In addition to nicotine, JUUL introduces other potentially harmful substances into the lungs. These substances including propylene glycol, glycidol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein—all either carcinogens or respiratory irritants. Because vaping introduces foreign substances into the lungs, prolonged use of JUUL products may produce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, just like traditional cigarette smoke. Vaping also triggers immune responses associated with inflammatory lung disease, constricts peripheral airways, and impacts the central nervous system
I may have a claim. What now?
There is limited time to pursue a legal case against JUUL. Get a free case evaluation to see if you can qualify for compensation. Signing up for a claim is quick and easy. There are no risks or out of pockets expenses to pursue a claim against JUUL.