The hazards of smoking are well-known. But what about the hazards of vaping? In this Florida class action, a mother brings suit against Juul Labs, Inc., claiming that her two sons have become addicted to Juul products and that Juul does not properly disclose the amounts of nicotine in and other hazards.
The class for this action is all residents of Florida who, at the time of their use of Juul products, were under the age of 18, and who procured and used Juul products.
Sabrina Zampa’s sons, identified in the complaint only as JM1 and JM2, each began using vaping products in middle school. They were able to buy vaping products from the online Juul store, even though they were underage.
When they first began using the products, they did not know they contained high doses of nicotine, or, the complaint says, “that the JUUL had specifically been developed to maximize the narcotic and, hence, addictive effects of nicotine.” The complaint says the products also contain other harmful substances that they did not know about either.
JM1 is now sixteen and JM2 is fourteen, and both are addicted to the products, the complaint says. When they try to quit, “they suffer headaches and other ill effects, causing them to continue” to use the products. The complaint attributes their use of and addiction to the products to “the branding and particularly the flavors—specifically, JUUL’s ‘limited edition cool cucumber.’”
The complaint claims that Jull markets its e-cigarettes and pods “as safe, candy-like products to which minors are attracted…” However, it alleges, Juul pods “contain three times more nicotine than the legal limit in the European Union” and deliver it more quickly into the bloodstream.
It says Juul did not disclose the health problems may occur from the use of its products, including “increased risk of heart disease and stroke; changes in brain functionality that lead to changes in behavior, respiratory illness, increased susceptibility to anxiety, depression and other addictions; long-term nicotine addiction; decreased functionality of the immune and endocrine systems; heightened risk of cancer; and negative effects on fertility.”
It claims that Juul “aimed [its] marketing efforts towards children and minors especially … and designed their JUUL products to be deliverable through third-party vendors … that do not require proof of identification upon delivery…”
Zampa discovered her sons’ use of the products in August 2017. She says she is concerned about the use of nicotine and other harmful substances by minors. She “claims the costs of diagnostic testing for the early detection of illness, disease, and disease process, the cost of nicotine use cessation programs, and other remedies on behalf of her minor children” and the other members of the class.
The complaint claims Juul has committed false advertising, fraud, and violations of Florida consumer laws, among other things.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Juul Products, Minors, Addiction, and Health Risks Complaint
November 30, 2018
The hazards of smoking are well-known. But what about the hazards of vaping? In this Florida class action, a mother brings suit against Juul Labs, Inc., claiming that her two sons have become addicted to Juul products and that Juul does not properly disclose the amounts of nicotine in and other hazards.
juul_advertising_and_addiction_complaint.pdfCase Event History
Juul Products, Minors, Addiction, and Health Risks Complaint
November 30, 2018
The hazards of smoking are well-known. But what about the hazards of vaping? In this Florida class action, a mother brings suit against Juul Labs, Inc., claiming that her two sons have become addicted to Juul products and that Juul does not properly disclose the amounts of nicotine in and other hazards.
juul_advertising_and_addiction_complaint.pdf