Hissey, Mulderig & Friend

A U.S. House of Representatives committee says that Juul broke the law by illegally marketing its e-cigarettes as a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes that could help smokers quit. The committee’s chairman called on the Food and Drug Administration to take “appropriate enforcement action” against Juul over the company’s illegal marketing practices.

The Congressional allegations against Juul were made during a two-day hearing by the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy. The hearing, chaired by Illinois Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, were held to investigate health claims made by Juul in its marketing campaigns for the company’s e-cigarettes.

Following the hearings, the FDA sent a warning letter to Juul regarding its illegal marketing practices. The letter alleged that Juul had falsely claimed that its e-cigarettes were safer than tobacco cigarettes. The agency stated that if Juul did not comply with federal health laws within 15 days, the company could face fines, seizures, or injunctions.

Allegations of Illegal Marketing Against Juul

E-cigarettes like Juul are frequently marketed as a way for smokers to receive their nicotine fix without the dangers of traditional cigarettes. However, e-cigarette manufacturers are prohibited from marketing these products for smoking cessation, which would require scientific data and a formal review by the FDA.

According to Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Juul’s founder stated several times at the hearings that the device could be used to help adults quit smoking. Witnesses also stated that Juul gave presentations to high school students in which the company stated that the e-cigarettes were “less harmful than tobacco products”.

Juul Accused of Marketing E-Cigarettes to Teens

Juul has also faced allegations of illegally marketing its e-cigarettes to teenagers. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in four high school students have used e-cigarettes like Juul in the past 30 days.

Critics say that Juul’s marketing practices have played a key role in this surge in vaping among high schoolers. These critics allege that Juul’s flavored e-cigarettes – which were sold with names like Cool Mint, Creme Brulee, and Fruit Medley – encouraged many teens to start vaping, which could cause problems in their development or serious health problems.

In December 2018, the US Surgeon General declared that underage vaping had become an epidemic in the U.S. The FDA announced plans in September 2019  to ban flavored e-cigarettes in the U.S. in response to the surge in vaping among high schoolers.

Lawsuits Against Juul Over Side Effects and Nicotine Addiction

Juul is facing lawsuits over allegations that the company’s e-cigarettes may cause strokes, seizures, or other side effects in young people who use these products. These lawsuits also allege that many teenagers have become addicted to the nicotine in Juul’s vaping pens as a result of the company’s illegal marketing practices.

Several class action lawsuits against Juul have been filed on behalf of teenagers who became addicted to the e-cigarettes, or who suffered health problems, such as strokes or seizures. Juul is also facing personal injury lawsuits filed on behalf of individual teens or young Americans who developed serious health problems after using the e-cigarettes.

Contact Us for a Free Legal Consultation

If you or a loved one used Juul e-cigarettes and suffered a stroke, seizures, or other serious health consequences, you may qualify to file a lawsuit against the e-cigarette company. The first step in taking legal action is to consult with an attorney to learn more about your legal rights.

The lawyers at Hissey, Mulderig & Friend have represented thousands of consumers across the United States who have been injured by dangerous products. Our firm has also represented thousands of individuals who have been injured by defective drugs, dangerous medical devices, and other products.

For more information about filing a lawsuit against Juul – and to speak with an attorney about your situation – contact the lawyers at Hissey, Mulderig & Friend for a free legal consultation. You can reach us by calling toll-free at 1-866-806-8117, or by filling out the free case evaluation form on the right side of this page.