Two Kentuckians, one 13, among plaintiffs in 26-state lawsuit alleging Juul deceived children into using electronic cigarettes
Two Kentuckians are suing Juul Labs, the manufacturer of the most popular electronic cigarette, claiming that the company used deceptive marketing practices to attract children. They are part of a consolidated federal case in Northern California with plaintiffs from 26 states. There may be more plaintiffs and more lawsuits.
“We want to put these companies out of business,” Ronald Johnson, a Fort Wright attorney who represents the 13-year-old, told Loosemore. “After going two decades where fewer and fewer kids smoked to a point where it was almost gone, now we have a new generation addicted to nicotine. … It was marketed as a safe alternative, but really it was a way to get a whole new market for cigarettes. It was so devious.”
Juul issued a statement: “This case is without merit and we will defend our mission. Juul Labs is committed to eliminating combustible cigarettes, the number one cause of preventable death in the world. We have never marketed to youth and do not want any non-nicotine users to try our products.”