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The success of these electronic cigarettes among young people is of concern. These products, closely monitored by the authorities, face numerous complaints accusing the manufacturers of making vaping attractive, especially among minors.
“The company has fueled a staggering rise in teen vaping. Juul has reversed decades of progress in battling nicotine addiction”, deplores the Attorney General. On April 13, Juul Labs agreed to pay Washington State $22.5 million, following a complaint filed in 2020 by Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The latter accuses the puff maker of targeting young people, even minors, in their marketing campaigns as well as of minimizing the addictive nature of their products and their effects on health.
If the American company has not admitted fault, it has however agreed to pay the sum of 22.5 million dollars as well as to reduce its advertising campaigns aimed at young people, in particular on social networks. Juul has also pledged that Puff sellers will verify the age of their customers.
“The terms of this agreement are consistent with our current business practices and previous agreements to help combat underage smoking while providing adult smokers with access to our products as a way to wean themselves off traditional cigarettes.“, says a spokesperson for the company.
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Stem the tide of puffs
The market for these single-use e-cigarettes is growing among teenagers, specifically through social media ads. Those puffunderstand “puff” in English, are particularly attractive to young people thanks to the sweet and original flavors offered and their ultra colorful packaging.
But these cigarettes, harmful to health, can lead to addictions. Contrary to what was written on the packaging of electronic cigarettes from the company Juul Labs, until 2018, “puffs” generally contain a high level of nicotine, up to five times higher than other comparable products. .
In an attempt to stem the puff, American states do not hesitate to attack companies. Juul Labs has already agreed to pay 14.5 million dollars to the state of Arizona, 40 million to North Carolina and 10 million to Louisiana. Proceedings are underway in eleven other states as well as with the District of Columbus, not to mention nearly 3,000 private plaintiffs.
In France, the sale of puff to minors is prohibited. Moreover, “a report was sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office by the Ministry of Solidarity and Health under article 40 of the code of criminal procedure”, the government agency said in a statement.