- Credibility:
CHICAGO — E-cigarette maker JUUL Labs will pay the city of Chicago $28.3 million to settle a lawsuit claiming it deceptively marketed its vapes to underage users, the city announced Friday.
The city sued JUUL in Cook County Circuit Court in 2020, alleging the company violated ordinances “by engaging in a widespread marketing campaign that targeted minors and by selling JUUL products without implementing strict age verification requirements,” according to the city.
It was one of a series of suits filed by the city against e-cigarette makers for targeting people younger than 18 years old.
“E-cigarette businesses cannot be allowed to come in our city and boost their profits at the expense of minors,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the city’s Department of Public Health.
“The use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, among youth is a serious public health concern — to CDPH and parents across Chicago. We’ve made remarkable progress over the last twenty years in reducing smoking, and now with these resources we’re ready to continue the fight against vaping.”
JUUL agreed to pay $2.8 million within 30 days and the rest of the settlement in the next year, according to the city.
The health department will use the money to reduce youth vaping through education, local policies, parent and teacher supports, cessation supports, improvements in data and community engagement and outreach initiatives, according to the city.
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