King County's legal action against the e-cigarette manufacturer Juul will result in a settlement of more than $23 million.
In a 2019 lawsuit, King County charged Juul Labs Inc. of intentionally promoting and advertising its flavored vaping products to children and teens.
King County is entitled to up to $23.8 million, less legal fees and other expenses, as part of a global settlement deal between Juul and thousands of local governments and people, according to a document from the county's attorneys. According to the document, King County may be entitled to up to an extra $1.8 million as part of a bonus settlement deal.
According to the county, the settlement funds would support regional initiatives aimed at reducing cigarette usage. The health and wellbeing of our children come first, and we cannot allow the advancements we have made to be jeopardised by continuous teenage nicotine use, stated King County Executive in a prepared statement.
This settlement will fund initiatives to discourage young people from using tobacco and vapor products and will offer tools to help those who are already using them stop.
Products sold by Juul Labs, Inc. employ a heating element to turn a nicotine solution into an aerosol that the user subsequently inhales. Juul was forced to pay almost $24 million to the state of Washington in April 2022 as a result of a lawsuit that claimed the business intentionally made its products appealing to minors and misrepresented how addictive the product may be.
The Food and Drug Administration imposed a nationwide ban on the sale of Juul electronic cigarettes in June 2022. The corporation appealed to the federal government, and the prohibition was reversed. Up to further assessment of the company's marketing application, the appeal will be upheld.
