Juul Advertised Its Products on Kids ’ Websites, New Lawsuit Alleges

As beleaguered e-cigarette maker Juul Labs tries to distance itself from its teen-friendly image and convince the world its products are for adult smokers only, a new lawsuit in Massachusetts claims the company advertised on websites for kids’ television networks and provided free products to social-media influencers and celebrities that appeal to youths. Vaping “is a public health crisis in Massachusetts and around the country,” the state’s Attorney General Maura Healey said at a Feb. 12 press conference announcing the lawsuit. “Today we’re suing the company that started it all.” Juul’s splashy 2015 launch campaign, Vaporized, has long been the subject of scrutiny for critics who allege the company promoted its nicotine-rich cigarette alternatives to children and teenagers. Healey’s complaint, which initializes the lawsuit process, presents damning new details about the way the campaign was allegedly conducted and publicized. A Juul spokesperson told TIME the company has not yet reviewed Healey’s complaint, but remains “focused on resetting the vapor category in the U.S. and earning the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general, regulators, public health officials, and other stakeholders to combat underage use and transition adult smokers from combustible cigarettes.” When Juul began working with Canadian marketing agency Cult Collective to formulate its launch campaign, the Cult ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized E-Cigarettes public health Source Type: news