Florida Files Lawsuit Against JUUL, Accusing It of Marketing to Children

Florida's governor has filed a lawsuit against JUUL Labs, accusing it of marketing to children and providing misleading information. The lawsuit claims that JUUL has aggressively marketed to underage users through parties, advertisements, and free samples, violating Florida law. JUUL responded by stating that it has taken numerous measures to combat underage use, resulting in a 95% reduction in underage usage.

According to a report from the Florida Health News on October 5, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL Labs, accusing it of incorrectly marketing to children and providing misleading information about the nicotine content in its products.

Moody's office submitted the lawsuit to the Hillsborough County Circuit Court, seeking civil damages and requesting that JUUL be prohibited from marketing and designing its products to "target children" and from "deceiving consumers" regarding nicotine concentrations. The lawsuit claims that JUUL violated a law known as the "Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act."

The lawsuit states, "JUUL has aggressively marketed to underage users. It has created a technology-centered, sleekly designed product that can be easily concealed and is sold in flavors favored by underage users."

In response, JUUL stated that Florida has indicated it will not participate in the company's settlement with 48 other states and territories, and pointed to measures the company has already taken, including "stopping the sale of non-tobacco, non-menthol products under FDA guidance, halting marketing campaigns, and restructuring the company with a focus on combating underage use."

They claim that due to these efforts, underage usage of JUUL products has decreased by 95%.