Juul Appoints Major Tobacco Executive as New CEO

Teenage vaping has now reached nearly epidemic proportion – and public health officials across the country are sounding alarms about the deadly risks associated with e-cigarettes. In particular, Juul Labs – the largest player in the growing e-cigarette industry – has faced a swelling tide of consumer litigation over their vaping products, as well as increased scrutiny from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In spite of these legal issues, Juul recently appointed a veteran of Big Tobacco to replace its CEO, prompting a new wave of complaints and concerns from public health advocates.

Are E-Cigarettes Safe?

While e-cigarettes or “vapes” are still relatively new on the market, there is already substantial evidence to indicate that these products are just as dangerous as conventional tobacco products. Linked to over 805 cases of life-altering lung injuries and seizures (as of September 2019), vaping is no longer considered to be safe for the general public. However, because e-cigarette companies like Juul have aggressively marketed to teenagers on social media, e-cigarette use among high school students grew to 67.8% by 2018 alone, and that number has stayed steady ever since.

In March, the FDA began to restrict the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco products. From there, the agency has continued to investigate various aspects of Juul’s business models, marketing strategies, and vaping products. Even in the midst of these legal issues, however, Juul has continued to profit from its defective e-cigarette products, and use similar tactics to the conventional tobacco industry.

Relying on Big Tobacco’s Tactics

For years, e-cigarette companies have painted their products as a “safer alternative” to smoking, claiming that e-cigarettes are an ideal solution for those who want to quit conventional tobacco. But last December, tobacco industry giant Altria purchased a 35% share in Juul for over $12 billion, and the company began to borrow from the playbook of Big Tobacco.

Now with a tobacco veteran as its CEO, Juul seems to be embracing its new role as a public health antagonist, rather than claiming that it can offer a safe nicotine option. This is a major reversal from Juul’s previous marketing campaigns, which include the widely-criticized “Make the Switch” campaign – a strategy that has earned accusations of false advertising from the FDA

Seeking Compensation for Juul Injuries

If you or your loved ones have been affected by Juul vaping injuries, now is the time to take action. At Decof, Barry, Mega & Quinn, P.C., our product liability attorneys can help you through the process of filing a claim or joining a class action lawsuit. With over $1 billion recovered for our clients and a tenacious approach in the courtroom, our trial lawyers are committed to holding e-cigarette companies accountable for the untold damage they have caused.

Call (401) 200-4059 today to discuss your legal options.