Juul Lawsuit Update | Juul Lawsuit for Popcorn Lung

Individuals, including teens with no previous smoking experiences, that were led to believe that Juul was “better than smoking” or “a safer alternative to smoking” are finding themselves addicted to Juul and are now suffering serious health issues.

Individuals who are fighting addiction and life-threatening health effects associated with Juul are currently hiring a Juul lawyer to file a lawsuit in order to receive compensation for the damages that they have incurred as a result of Juul’s negligence and false marketing.

The manufacturer failed to warn about Juul dangers, and now thousands of youth, adults, and individuals trying to quit smoking are suffering the consequences for Juul’s actions.

If you have suffered a lung injury because of Juul, you may be eligible to participate in a lawsuit.

These lawsuits are not included in the prior MDL or class action framework, as the products liability and over-payment cases have operated within.

Popcorn lung lawsuits due to Juul or other vape use are accepted individually.

Reach out to our law firm if you have developed a serious lung injury due to Juul.

Juul – manufactured by Juul Labs – is the popular USB-shaped smoking device that has recently captivated the e-cigarette market.

Its sleek, concealable shape and array of fruity flavors make it the favored choice for both adult and teen smokers.

Contrary to Juul Labs’ claims that Juuling is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, recent studies have found that Juul and other e-cigarettes actually expose users to a number of dangerous health risks commonly associated with cigarettes.

Juul Risks – The Health Risks of Juuling

Researchers have also found links to risks not commonly associated with traditional cigarettes, such as e-cigarette users’ higher likelihood of developing bronchiolitis obliterans (more commonly referred to as “popcorn lung“).

While research into Juul is still in its early stages, experts are already warning personal injury law firms, such as TorHoerman Law, to be prepared for a massive increase in e-cigarette lawsuits.

With the continued rise in Juul’s popularity, paralleled by continued research illustrating Juul’s health risks, lawsuits are beginning to be filed on behalf of Juul smokers nationwide.

There is at least one lawsuit filed in a number of state courts by state attorneys, as well as individual lawsuits filed by private practices like TorHoerman Law.

If you use Juul or any other form of e-cigarettes, we urge you to read the following information as well as to conduct your own research on Juul dangers before you continue using these products.

In addition, if you find that you are now addicted to Juul or that you are suffering from any injuries associated with Juul, consider joining other individuals in fighting back against the company that should have warned you and file a lawsuit.

E-cigarettes have become extremely popular in recent years, with e-cigarette use increasing 10-fold between 2011 and 2016.

Juul currently holds more than 75% of shares in the e-cigarette market – a major market that is expected to be worth $86.43 billion by 2025 – making it by far the most popular e-cigarette available to consumers, with company futures expected to reach $43+ billion.

Juul was popularized within the last decade primarily due to the company’s aggressive online social media marketing campaign, which advertised its product as a “safer alternative” for individuals trying to quit smoking traditional cigarettes.

The general public, especially youth and young adults responded positively to e-cigarette marketing efforts, especially the deceitful tactics used by Juul.

Since the introduction of their marketing campaigns, Juul and other e-cigarette manufacturers have faced heavy scrutiny for these marketing tactics, with accusations that the companies were deliberately targeting youth in an effort to create an entirely new generation of smokers.

There is now an “epidemic” of Juul and e-cigarette youth smokers, which has raised concerns of communities, states, and even federal agencies.

Shocking reports have shown a continual rise in the number of youth Juul and e-cigarette smokers that has led the federal government to label youth vaping as a “nationwide epidemic”.

Did Juul Market to Youth?

The initial state lawsuit, which was filed in North Carolina, contributed Juul’s popularity amongst teens to their advertising efforts that marketed teens and the fruity flavored pods that Juul sold.

In response, Juul removed flavored pods sales to certain businesses, such as gas stations.

The company also made an effort to minimize its presence on social media and put up additional hurdles to top underage youth from purchasing their product.

Despite these efforts, Juul’s popularity within the teen demographic has continued to grow.

During the span of Juul’s initial marketing campaign, the company was extremely successful in creating thousands of new smokers who are now extremely nicotine dependent.

They also succeeded in making Juul a social phenomenon, using their marketing campaign to establish an air of coolest around Juul, especially for youth.

Now, the company faces a state lawsuit in Illinois and other states who believe that Juul popularity amongst teens is a result of the company’s targeted marketing of youth.

There are a number of factors that can be attributed to Juul’s ability to break through the flooded e-cigarette market and establish itself as the leading brand for e-cigarettes, but one of the largest contributing factors is Juul successful campaign advertising Juul as a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes.

Through their advertising campaign, Juul swayed public opinion to believe that Juul is a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes and an effective way to quit smoking.

But, according to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology, the chemical flavorings and additives in e-cigarettes can potentially cause more damage to the lungs than the damage caused by traditional cigarettes.

The FDA has stepped in to correct this claim, telling Juul that there is no evidence to substantiate that Juul is a safer alternative to cigarettes.

The FDA warned that, by making these claims, Juul is a direct violation of federal law.

Juul has been asked to provide evidence to prove these claims.

There are a number of serious adverse effects associated with nicotine dependence.

Juul users report experiencing:

• Severe addiction
• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart attack or heart problems
• Lung or respiratory failure
• Mental health or behavior issues
• Nicotine poisoning
• Pregnancy complication or birth defects
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Stroke
• Other complications

If you are a Juul user and you have experienced one or more of these effects, you should stop smoking Juul right away.

You may also qualify to participate in a lawsuit if you have experienced any of these health effects.

Researchers now categorize all Juul, e-cigarette and vaping-related injuries as EVALI.

If you or a loved one has suffered an e-cigarette or vaping-related injury, you may be eligible to file an EVALI lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law to learn more.

The dangers of Juul and other popular e-cigarettes continue to make headlines.

While symptoms and health risks of vaping such as addiction, nicotine poisoning, and respiratory damage have been well documented, a Canadian teen was reportedly hospitalized because of a newfound vaping-related condition known as popcorn lung.

The illness is caused by inhaling vapors of the chemical diacetyl which causes damage to a person’s airways and makes it difficult to breathe.

What is Juul Popcorn Lung?

According to the American Lung Association, popcorn lung (bronchitis obliterans) is a lung disease in which the alveoli, the tiny air sacs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide, become scarred.

This causes the thickening and narrowing of the lungs’ airways making it difficult to breathe.

Additional symptoms include a dry cough, fatigue, and wheezing that isn’t from asthma or a cold.

If left untreated, popcorn lung can develop into full respiratory collapse and is potentially fatal.

Popcorn lung is caused by breathing in diacetyl, an organic compound used to give foods and additives an artificial flavoring.

Diacetyl was most common in processed foods with a butter-like taste including popcorn, potato chips, crackers, and corn chips.

Diacetyl was removed from major popcorn manufacturers’ products after the workers became sick from breathing in the chemical.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that breathing in diacetyl is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.

The ALA says the chemical has been responsible for deaths and hundreds of cases of bronchitis obliterans.

Diacetyl is present in many vaping products’ fluids.

Teenager Hospitalized, Brought Close to Death with a Popcorn Lung-Like Injury from Juul

A teenager in Canada who routinely used e-cigarettes developed a unique, near-fatal lung condition that does mirror the vaping-related illnesses sweeping the United States.

Brittany Shammas of the Washington Post reported that doctors said the 17-year-old’s condition resembles “popcorn lung,” an illness that was previously seen in popcorn factory workers who inhaled heated vapors of a toxic chemical used to produce butter flavoring known as diacetyl.

The teen was admitted to a London, Ontario, hospital for coughing, shortness of breath, and a fever.

He had been “intensively” vaping e-cigarettes for months and used flavored nicotine cartridges as well as THC devices.

His condition progressively intensified during his first few weeks in the hospital, and he eventually needed a ventilator to breathe and was placed on life support.

The teenager was sent home after 47 days in the hospital and could have sustained chronic lung damage.

Doctors at the hospital said the teen’s condition was not something they see often.

Practitioners initially suspected the patient had bronchiolitis, a lung condition usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but the tests returned negative.

His condition suggested a potential development of bronchiolitis obliterans, the medical term for “popcorn lung.”

Popcorn lung is a condition that affects the lungs’ airways, named after cases of workers who developed the ailment while working at microwave popcorn factories nearly 20 years ago.

Popcorn lung is caused by inhaling heated fumes of diacetyl, an artificial chemical flavoring agent.

Diacetyl is used in many e-cigarette flavors, causing concerns amongst health officials that popcorn lung could affect vapers.

The American Lung Association requested that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration call for the removal of diacetyl and other unsafe chemicals from e-cigarette cartridges.

The teens’ doctors said that the “exact mechanism of injury and causative agent are unknown,” but noted “the need for further research into all potentially toxic components of e-liquids and tighter regulation of e-cigarettes.”

Does Juul Cause Popcorn Lung?

Juul maintains that its products do not contain diacetyl, the chemical responsible for causing popcorn lung.

However, there has been at least one confirmed case of a Juul user developing popcorn lung, causing concern among users and health officials.

Researchers are currently studying links between Juul and popcorn lung to determine if the company’s products contain diacetyl and/or cause popcorn lung.

There is at least one confirmed case of a Juul user who developed popcorn lung, but there are other potential cases also being investigated as well.

Researchers are currently studying the possible link between Juul and popcorn lung.

Juul maintains that there are no dangerous popcorn lung-causing chemicals in their product.

But new Juul popcorn lung cases have caused concern amongst Juul users and health officials.

Learn more about Juul popcorn lung in our litigation update section below.

E-cigarettes / JUUL Containing Diacetyl

According to a report published in Environmental Health Perspectives, many e-cigarette liquids contain diacetyl, the chemical responsible for popcorn lung.

The study’s authors tested 51 flavored e-cigarette liquids and found diacetyl in 39 of them.

The findings worry researchers who noted the documented evidence that inhaling diacetyl is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.

The report said:

“Because of the associations between diacetyl and bronchitis obliterans (popcorn lung) and other severe respiratory diseases observed in workers, urgent action is recommended to further evaluate this potentially widespread exposure via flavored e-cigarettes.”

Research in the study was supported by the National Institute of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences center grant P30ES000002.

The authors declared that they do not have actual or potential competing financial interests.

Independent researchers are conducting studies testing the validity of Juul’s claims that their products do not contain diacetyl.

The company said that in tests, the company has not found any measurable amounts of diacetyl in vapors emitted from its devices.

Juul’s e-cigarette liquid is currently known to contain:

• Glycerol
• Propylene glycol
• Nicotine
• Benzoic acid
• Food-grade flavoring

Juul and e-cigarettes put users at risk of developing injuries associated with nicotine use.

Because, although some users are unaware, Juul pods do actually contain high quantities of nicotine.

In general, e-cigarettes contain a lower dose of nicotine:

• Ranging from 6 to 30 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid

However, Juul contains a much higher concentration of nicotine: 

• 59 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid

In fact, according to Juul, one Juul pod contains about the same amount of nicotine as one pack of cigarettes.

Experts argue that a Juul pod actually contains more nicotine than a pack of cigarettes because some of the nicotine in cigarettes is lost to filtration.

But Juuls do not have filters, so there is no nicotine loss through filtration when a user is smoking a Juul pod.

This high dose of nicotine puts users at risk of both nicotine-related injuries and nicotine addiction.

Although Juul is advertised as both a safer alternative to cigarettes and an effective way to quit smoking, neither of these claims are actually supported by fact.

There is no evidence to support the claim that Juul is a reliable tool for quitting smoking.

On the contrary, Juul contains as much, if not more nicotine than cigarettes.

Because nicotine is the substance responsible for giving cigarettes their addictive nature, there is no reason to believe that Juul will help alleviate addiction.

Some other e-cigarette brands offering lower mg/ml of nicotine may be more beneficial in lowering nicotine dependence, Juul cannot.

Juul users are reporting serious injuries resulting from both nicotine dependence while using Juul and nicotine withdrawal when trying to quit Juul.

Individuals suffering from symptoms relating to nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal may qualify to participate in a lawsuit.

A research study has revealed that high levels of nicotine concentrations found in Juul e-cigarettes are:

“Sufficiently high to be cytotoxic, or toxic to living cells when test in vitro with cultured respiratory system cells.”

Of the hundreds of electronic cigarette products analyzed by the research team, Juul was the only product with high enough nicotine concentrations to be toxic in standard cytotoxicity tests.

Of the eight different flavors manufactured and sold by Juul Labs, the study found differing levels of cytotoxicity.

According to the research team leader Prue Talbot, professor in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology at the University of California, Riverside:

“We found some flavor chemicals, such as ethyl maltol, also correlate with cytotoxicity, but nicotine seems to be the most potent chemical in Juul products, due to it very high concentration.”

Although federal regulations limit the sales of Juul products to individuals 21 years and older, Juuling still remains prominent among adolescents, primarily middle-school and high-school-aged youth.

James F. Pankow, a professor of chemistry as well as civil and environmental engineering at Portland State University, Oregon and a member of the research team, explained that experts are still unsure of the long-term adverse health effects with chronic Juul use.

There is a growing concern amongst experts and the FDA that high doses of nicotine found in Juul products could affect the still-developing adolescent brain, especially when considering the cytotoxic effects Juul products have been found to have.

Like Juul, e-cigarette manufacturers often advertise their products as being a safer alternative to cigarettes and free of the many harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.

However, what most e-cigarette companies fail to warn consumers of is that their products contain diacetyl:

• A chemical that, if vaporized, is highly toxic and can have detrimental health effects to those who are exposed to its vapors.

The most common injury associated with diacetyl vapor exposure is bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung), a rare condition that damages your lung’s small airways, making it difficult to breathe and causing individuals to experience aggressive coughing spirts.

If untreated, popcorn lung can degenerate into total respiratory collapse, which can be fatal. Also known as coffee lung, it can also be found in manufacturing facilities that produce animal food, gum, or other food products.

In its natural form, diacetyl is a harmless additive, used to enhance the flavoring of e-liquids.

But when heated in an e-cigarette, diacetyl is transformed into its hazardous vaporized state.

The health risks of e-cigarettes differ depending on which brand you choose.

If you choose to Juul, you are choosing to use a product that has a higher concentration of nicotine than normal cigarettes but does not contain dangerous diacetyl.

If you choose to use most other e-cigarettes, you are choosing a product that has a lower concentration of nicotine compared to cigarettes, but you are likely also putting yourself at risk of developing popcorn lung.

Either way, you are still putting your health at risk because e-cigarette dangers are apparent in all e-cigarette products.

Research Reveals Dangerous Chemicals in E-Cigarettes

The American Journal of Physiology study found that other chemical additives found in e-cigarettes previously thought to be safe, such as propylene glycol, may be responsible for causing respiratory inflammation and other pulmonary problems.

While some e-cigarettes, such as the popular Juul e-cigarette, do not contain diacetyl, almost all do contain propylene glycol and other potentially harmful chemicals.

A number of the flavor chemicals used in most e-liquids also contain aldehydes, which, when inhaled, can irritate the mucosal tissue in the respiratory tract.

The new research linking these chemical additives to lung inflammation may challenge Juul’s (and other manufacturers’) claims that their products are a safe alternative to conventional cigarettes.

The study published in the American Journal of Physiology, which was conducted by medical investigators at the University of Athens, Greece, found that when vaporized, the chemical flavorings and additives can cause considerable inflammation in the lungs.

According to researchers, even short-term e-cigarette use can induce significant inflammatory lung damage. Although this inflammation does not appear to pose a cancer risk, there are a number of other serious health risks associated with this kind of respiratory strain.

The study’s co-author, Dr. Constantinos Glynos, explained that:

“Electronic cigarettes are advertised as a less harmful nicotine delivery system or as a new smoking cessation tool. Our findings suggest that exposure to e-cig vapor can trigger inflammatory responses and adversely affect respiratory system mechanics.”

Experts in the field say that this first-stage exploratory research, which was conducted on lab mice, should have been initiated years ago before e-cigarettes gained market approval.

Dr. Patricia Folan, director of the Center for Tobacco Control, a division of Northwell Health in Great Neck, explained:

“They [e-cigarettes] hit the market around 2006, 2007 before research could be conducted to determine what the potential problems would be. The manufacturers were the ones telling us that these products were safe to use,”

E-Cigarette Manufacturers Put Consumers at Risk

These e-cigarette manufacturers never actually tested the potential health risks of their products but based their safety claims about these flavorings and additives on previous approvals made by the FDA for a variety of food additives.

As Dr. Folan accentuated in her comments, these flavorings and additives were deemed safe for consumption, but no tests were conducted on the long-term effects of inhaling these chemicals in their vaporized state.

Only now, more than a decade later, are the first third-party researchers exposing e-cigarette dangers and Juul dangers.

Unfortunately, it may now be too late.

The long-term effects of exposure to these chemicals could be detrimental to the millions of U.S. smokers who have made the switch to e-cigarettes and Juul.

With this new revelation of e-cigarette dangers, experts are calling for further research into the potential short-term and long-term effects of e-cigarette use.

Dr. Glynos stated that:

“The observed detrimental effects in the lung upon e-cigarette vapor exposure in animal models highlight the need for further investigation of safety and toxicity of these rapidly expanding devices worldwide.”

Cigarettes are bad for you – but e-cigarettes are by no means a lesser of two evils.

E-cigarettes, be it Juul or any other popular brand, still put you at risk of developing a serious and potentially fatal injury.

If we know about Juul dangers and e-cigarette dangers, why have the number of users been steadily increasing over time?

E-cigarettes feature two characteristics that make them appealing to smokers:

1. Enticing flavors that cut out the “bad taste” of cigarettes
2. A concealable shape that allows them to be smoked virtually anywhere

Juul has historically offered users a range of enticing flavors, such as fruit medley, mango, cool cucumber, and crème brûlée.

These flavors not only taste better but also reduce some of the social stigmas of smoking by eliminating the smoking odor.

Federal law prohibits cigarette companies from selling flavored tobaccos, citing flavored tobacco’s appeal to youth smokers.

These popular Juul pod flavors were discontinued in November 2018.

Juul and other e-cigarettes are able to circumnavigate these laws because they are not technically selling flavored tobacco, but rather a flavored e-liquid containing nicotine.

A number of advocacy groups, lawsuits filed against Juul, and even state and federal governments are currently challenging e-cigarette manufacturers’ ability to offer flavors other than traditional cigarette flavors.

While not all flavors include diacetyl, many do.

Diacetyl is most prevalent in both sweet and buttery flavors – flavors like:

• Butterscotch
• Coffee
• Candy
• Peppermint
• Chocolate

Juul has also faced scrutiny for using its popular fruity flavors to entice youth.

Lawsuits that have been filed by state attorneys in numerous states claimed that Juul’s flavors are a major contributor to the youth vaping epidemic.

E-cigarettes vary in shape, size, and design.

But most e-cigarettes are either small enough to conceal from others or they designed to look more like an electronic device than a smoking apparatus.

Either way, it is hard for most non-users to distinguish an e-cigarette as a smoking device.

E-cigarettes almost never give off a smoky aroma.

Almost all e-cigarette exhalants are waterbased, so they put off a “cloud” of what is essentially water vapor.

For these reasons, e-cigarettes are easier to conceal and their use in public is more socially accepted.

Juul distinguishes itself from other e-cigarettes because it is the most easily concealable of all e-cigarettes.

Juul’s sleek shape is often confused as being a USB-drive – the fact that it is charged using a USB outlet only further aids in this confusion.

The device is small enough to fit in the closed palm of a person’s hand, unlike most other e-cigarettes which are much larger.

Juul vapor is water-based and almost completely odorless, so users can smoke it indoors, in public, or in group settings without others noticing.

Because it is so easy to conceal, youth have no issue with hiding the devices in public settings, including in school.

Some schools are facing such issues with students using Juul on the premises, they are now beginning to take action.

Schools have reportedly gone as far as removing bathroom stall doors to prevent students from smoking their Juul.

Companies are now selling products such as phone cases and hoodies specially designed to make it even easier to hide a Juul.

Nearly half of all Twitter users who followed Juul last year were between the ages of 13 and 17, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Juul’s sleek & concealable shape, a range of enticing flavors, odorless vapor exhalant, and mischaracterization as a healthy alternative to cigarettes has led it to become the name-brand of e-cigarettes.

Juul has helped to end the social stigmas surrounding smoking.

This is unfortunate, especially for the anti-smoking advocacy groups who have been on a decades’ long mission to build those social stigmas around smoking.

Those stigmas were built on a foundation that emphasized the health effects of cigarettes, cigarettes off-putting smell, and the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Juul claims to offer a solution to all of these issues as their product is:

• Supposedly safe (although there is no evidence of this)
• Odorless
• Produces no secondhand smoke

Unfortunately, the demographic that seems to be most susceptible to this false advertising is teenagers.

Until recently, nicotine use amongst teens had been on a steady decline since the mid-1990s.

But with the introduction of Juul and other e-cigarettes, nicotine use is once again on the rise amongst teens.

At least 11% of middle school and high school students admit to using Juul.

This number is also rising.

According to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, around 33% of these teen users say that the availability of flavors is the main reason that they use this product.

Another 39% attributed their use to a family member or friend who also used them.

17% claimed that they used Juul products because they believed them to be less harmful than other forms of tobacco – and the misconceptions about the health risks associated with Juul / e-cigarettes are rampant in the teenage demographic.

In fact, a majority of youth e-cigarette users think that they vaped only flavoring, not any nicotine, the last time they used an e-cigarette, according to a study conducted at the University of Michigan.

Another study, conducted by the Truth Initiative, found that:

• 63% of Juul users between 15 and 24 years old did not know that the product always contained nicotine – a chemical known to be harmful to adolescent brain development

Teens that find themselves addicted to Juul should consider filing a lawsuit while they now fight for their health.

Juul has come under scrutiny by a number of advocacy groups, state and federal healthcare officials who claim that Juul’s advertising campaign is devised to attract teens.

Both state and private action lawsuits have cited marketing techniques such as the use of bright colors, youthful imagery, and the promotion of fruity flavors offered by Juul as marketing efforts made by Juul to specifically target the youth market.

Juul has also become something of a social phenomenon, taking over social media platforms, such as Instagram, which is popular with youth culture.

On any given platform, you can find trending hashtags like #DoItForTheJuul, where teens post images of themselves using Juul and other e-cigarettes.

Admittedly, Juul has made an effort to reduce their social media presence, but only after public pressure and the initial lawsuit.

Juul’s concealable shape and odorless fume exhalant also make it attractive to teens, who have found it easy to use at home, in public, and even in school, under the watchful eye of adults.

Matt Myers, head of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says that the youth’s fascination with Juul and e-cigarettes could quite possibly develop into a future health catastrophe – a whole generation of young adults could become addicted to nicotine for life.

Federal health officials are now calling youth Juuling a nationwide epidemic.

While Juul claims that the e-cigarette was designed specifically as a healthier alternative for adult smokers to curb their cigarettes addiction, experts continue to argue that Juul’s sleek & easily-concealable shape, odorless vapor exhalant, range of enticing liquid flavors, and early onset social media marketing campaigns indicate that these e-cigarettes were meant to appeal to a younger audience– and they have.

Matt Myers, head of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said:

“I’ve never seen a tobacco-related product spread across this country as fast among young people as this product…Everyone was asleep at the switch, and by the time we woke up, we had an epidemic on our hand.”

Juul’s façade flash drive size and shape, paired with its odorless exhalant, allow teens to hide their smoking habits from adults in plain sight.

Kids are taking full advantage of the cloaked smoking apparatus, Juuling anywhere and everywhere that they can, without the knowledge of their parents.

You can find evidence all across social media, in classrooms, in close proximity to adults, and in public settings.

It has become something of a communal challenge within the younger generation, promoted through social media, where those who are willing to go the furthest to test the limits of smoking their Juul in public receive the highest praise.

In a way, Juul has made smoking “cool” again.

After years of advocacy efforts spent campaigning against the popularity of tobacco use, anti-smoking groups were able to create stigmatization around cigarettes.

Defamed for their off-putting smell and life-threatening health consequences, cigarette use amongst students began to decline beginning in the mid-1990s.

But with the introduction of odorless e-cigarettes, advertised as a healthier alternative to traditional smoking, Juul has made smoking socially acceptable again.

Student tobacco use is once again on the rise, an alarming trend for parents.

Even more alarming, Juuling has spread from high school-aged students, and now engulfs middle schools nationwide.

Stacy Laurent-Smith, a concerned parent & public school educator, explained that:

“Juuling is a huge problem for middle school and high school students.

When I walk into my local gas station, which is less than a mile from the local high school, there is a huge advertisement on the door and the Juuling devices and pods are kept on the front counter instead of back behind where the other tobacco products are located.

I’ve wondered ‘Why is this allowed for these devices, which contains nicotine just like a cigarette?’

These devices are so small and hard to detect when used it is making it even harder for adults to monitor.

Not to mention we have no idea what the long-term effects of using these devices are on young people.

It is truly scary the speed of which the popularity of these devices has grown for our youth.”

Juul’s market shares are booming. Even within an exploding industry full of competitors, Juul stands alone as the kingpin of e-cigarettes.

But, how do we face the problem head-on?

As lawyers, we see entirely too often the dangers of chemical exposures. E-cigarettes, as science and studies are beginning to show, will prove to be no different.

As parents, we can sit down with our children and have a conversation about Juuling dangers.

But, what do we say that will actually provoke our children to make good decisions and say no to Juuling?

First things first, know the facts:

Juul Facts

1. Don’t let Juul’s marketing campaign fool you, e-cigarettes are by no means a healthier alternative to cigarettes. Each pod contains 59 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid, which is nearly equivalent to a pack of cigarettes.
2. Juul actually contains quite a bit more nicotine than other e-cigarettes, which range from 6 to 30 milligrams per milliliter. So not only is Juul more appealing to users, but it’s also more addictive. A recent study astoundingly found that 63% of Juul users ages 15 to 24 were not even aware that the product always contains nicotine.
3. Juul has been linked to a number of life-threatening, highly aggressive health issues.
4. Only weeks after beginning to vape, an 18-year old woman was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, more commonly known as “wet lung”. Chemicals found in the e-liquids are believed to have initiated an allergic reaction that eventually developed into full respiratory failure.
5. Experts believe bronchiolitis obliterans, known as popcorn lung and constrictive bronchiolitis, could become a deadly side effect of e-cigarette use. The disease results in obstruction of the smallest airways of the lungs (bronchioles) due to inflammation. Symptoms include a dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and feeling tired.

The statistics are staggering. E-cigarettes are not good for you, despite all of the advertisements that portray otherwise.

Is it alarming that our children are falling prey to enticing marketing?

Yes.

But, one conversation could help save your child from harmful and potentially deadly side effects down the road.

Find a time to have a courteous, open conversation with your child.

They’ll have questions, and you may not have all of the answers, but most important is they become aware of the Juuling dangers and risks.

The companies that produce e-cigarettes copied the playbook of the tobacco industry from the 1950s.

The only difference?

We have social media that propels ideas into a phenomenon, but at the same time, side effects and dangers are quicker to be exposed.

Before the first lawsuit was even filed, experts had already been warning lawyers to begin preparing for a flood of lawsuit injury case intakes from Juul users.

Now, Juul attorneys are receiving countless new cases of teens and young adults suffering serious injuries because of Juul and other e-cigarettes.

So, please take the time to talk to your children about the Juul dangers and the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Subsequent to settlements in prior Juul Lawsuits, personal injury attorneys are continuing to engage with individuals who want have suffered severe lung injuries due to vaping.

Some of the injuries claimed in the teen Juul case are as follows:

• Severe addiction
• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart attack or heart problems
• Lung or respiratory failure
• Mental health or behavior issues
• Nicotine poisoning
• Pregnancy complication or birth defects
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Stroke
• Other complications

TorHoerman Law represents previous non-smokers who believe they have vaping lung.

These individuals may have used an e-cigarette brand other than Juul such as Vuse, Njoy or Blu.

We need to hold Juul and the other e-cigarette companies accountable for their negligent actions, failure to warn consumers about dangers, and violations of consumer fraud laws.

The liability for your injuries falls on Juul and the e-cigarette companies.

The best way to do so is by fighting back and stopping companies like Juul, Vuse, Njoy or Blu from injuring more people, especially our youth.

If you or a loved one believe that you qualify to participate in a lawsuit, contact an experienced Juul lawyer at TorHoerman Law today.

TorHoerman Law offers free, no-obligation case consultations for anyone who has suffered an injury because of Juul.

If you are considering filing a lawsuit, or you have already signed a contract, there are a few steps that you can take to prepare your case.

Your Juul lawyer will go over these as well, but it is good to familiarize yourself with these steps and begin collecting information for your case as soon as possible.

The most important step:

• STOP USING JUUL RIGHT AWAY.

If you have suffered injuries related to Juul, you should try to mitigate these injuries to the best of your ability.

One of the best ways to mitigate injury is to discontinue using Juul.

We understand that Juul is a highly addictive substance and it is not possible for some individuals to stop.

If stopping your Juul use causes you to suffer serious physical or mental injury, you do not need to stop altogether, but you should try to slowly decrease your Juul use.

After you have stopped or at least decreased your Juul use.

One of the next steps in legal action relating to Juul is gathering evidence.

In a lawsuit, some of the best evidence that you can provide your Juul attorney shows how often you used Juul products and how those products caused your injuries.

Evidence you should begin collecting right away may include:

• Receipts and/or billing information showing your previous Juul purchases
• Photos or video evidence of you previously using Juul
• Medical records associated with Juul
• Personal accounts and records regarding your Juul use and injuries*

* You should begin keeping a journal detailing the history of your Juul use, the progression of your injuries or addiction, and any other pertinent information regarding your case, including communications with healthcare professionals about your injuries.

After you have started to gather evidence, the next legal step will be to assess damages.

Many individuals involved in a lawsuit will claim both compensatory and punitive.

Your lawsuit damages may include:

• Tangible costs associated with your injury, such as medical bills
• Non-tangible costs of your injury, such as pain and suffering

Your Juul lawyer will be able to help you assess damages and fight to see that you receive compensation for the total costs of your injuries.

For free, no-obligation chemical exposure, Juul lawsuit, or e-cigarette lawsuit case consultation, contact the offices of TorHoerman Law today.

One of our experienced investigation team members would be happy to discuss your potential lawsuit, free of charge.

At TorHoerman Law, our Juul lawyer team is one of the most experienced representing plaintiffs in the ongoing Juul lawsuit.

If you have used Juul or similar products and have suffered an injury or illness, you may qualify to participate in a lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law to talk directly to our Juul lawyer team today.

A Juul lawyer would be happy to talk to you about your potential lawsuit, free of charge.

TorHoerman Law – Your Juul Lawyer