A new lawsuit has been filed against JUUL Labs Inc. for illegally marketing their e-cigarettes and vaping products to youth in the United States. On May 8, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas filed a lawsuit against the popular e-cigarette company, alleging JUUL intentionally targeted their products at teens, quickly addicting New Mexico’s youth to JUUL nicotine products. While JUUL e-cigarettes were initially marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, their popularity as sparked a vaping craze amongst teens and non-smokers. Now, the U.S. faces a mounting youth e-cigarette outbreak and growing numbers of injuries caused by nicotine addiction. In his press release, Attorney General Balderas calls out JUUL Labs for creating a “youth vaping epidemic by intentionally marketing and selling its e-cigarettes to young people.”

 “Vaping companies should not be targeting New Mexican children with an addictive product that could compromise their health and safety,” said Attorney General Balderas. “My office will continue to fight large companies who harm our families and risk the lives of our future generation.”

Since the release of JUUL e-cigarettes on the market in 2015, research has uncovered vaping JUUL e-cigarettes can cause a number of severe health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that vaping a single JUUL pod can contains the same amount of nicotine as a smoking an entire pack of cigarettes. Some experts even argue a JUUL pod may contain the amount of nicotine found in two packs of cigarettes. JUUL’s vaping pods contain a highly concentrated form of nicotine, patented as their nicotine salts. These nicotine salts have been claimed to hook vapers after a single use, spurring quick nicotine addictions, poisoning, or withdrawals when trying to quit vaping. In the lawsuit Attorney General Balderas notes that e-cigarette use is problematic in New Mexico, with 24.7% of high school students reportedly using e-cigarettes in 2017, a significant leap from the national usage rate of 13.2%.

Attorney General Balderas’ claim calls for JUUL to pay for the expenses associated with resolving the e-cigarette health crisis impacting young people in New Mexico. According to the press release, the Office of the Attorney General is pursuing damages, restitution, and penalties for JUUL’s conduct. They are also seeking an order requiring JUUL to stop the damage they have allegedly caused in New Mexico.

Were Injured from Vaping JUUL E-Cigarettes?

If you’ve been injured from vaping JUUL e-cigarettes, we’re here to protect your rights. When a company takes advantage of your trust by selling a harmful product, they are responsible for your injuries. Our award-winning product liability attorneys know what rights these negligent companies owe to consumers, so we fight to defend your right to compensation after being injured by a dangerous product.

To see if you may be eligible for compensation for your JUUL-related injuries, contact the McGartland law firm today. We offer free, no-obligation case evaluations with legal professionals standing by 24/7 to answer your case questions and concerns. Call today at 1.866.832.9300.