JUUL Pays Osceola County, U.S., $130,000 to Settle; Funds to Address Youth Vaping

  JUUL Labs has agreed to pay a $130,000 settlement to resolve fraud allegations brought by Osceola County, which will use the funds to address youth vaping. To date, JUUL has reached settlements with 47 states and more than 5,000 government entities.

Breaking on December 18, well-known U.S. vaping company JUUL Labs, following an uncontested vote, agreed to pay Osceola County, Florida, a $130,000 settlement. This decision resolves the lawsuit filed by Osceola County in December 2022, as well as its participation in nationwide class-action litigation brought by other governments and school districts, mainly involving allegations that JUUL deceptively marketed to minors and downplayed the addictive nature of smoking.

Since April, JUUL has reached settlements with 47 states and territories, more than 5,000 individual claimants, and local governments nationwide. Osceola County plans to use the $138,000 settlement funds to address youth smoking and nicotine addiction.

Osceola County spokesperson Mark Pino said that while it is still too early to determine the specific use of the funds, Blake Warren, executive director of the Central Florida Area Health Education Center, supports the move. Last year, the center’s smoking cessation program had 3,000 adult participants, an increase compared with previous years.

Warren believes that vaping is just as serious as smoking traditional cigarettes, and he hopes the settlement money will be used for youth-focused prevention programs. He emphasized that expanding prevention programs in elementary and middle schools can persuade children early on not to start smoking, which is crucial because quitting becomes very difficult once they begin.

JUUL has already reached settlements with 47 states and territories, as well as 5,000 individuals and local governments nationwide, with more settlements still pending.