E-Cigarette & Vaping Lawsuits Are Increasing

Vaping and e-cigarette lawsuits increase as teenagers and young adults report health and lung problems. In fact, teens with no previous smoking habits are picking up vapes at younger ages. Lawyers focus their cases at the product’s manufacturer, alleging that they participated in deceptive advertising.

The small vapes called Juuls are the most popular among teens. They’re also at the center of attention in this issue. In fact, they have been said to aggressively target young people with campaigns focused on how vapes are safer and cooler than traditional cigarettes. In addition, they sell vaping liquids flavored from a sweet mint to a tropical mango.

With little to no mentions in ads that nicotine is addictive and dangerous to user’s health, people are mad. And rightly so.

Outbreak of Lung Illnesses Caused by Vapes and E-Cigs

Over 500 people reported sick from vaping-related lung illness and 7 people have died as a result in the United States. Many people reported also smoking THC vapes. The State Department of Health and the State Health Officer even released a Public Health Advisory with some pretty scary numbers. We’ve summarized some major points below:

• 1 in 5 high school students are regular vape smokers (up 154% since 2014)
• In 2016, one-third of middle and high school students reported using vapes to smoke THC
• There are over 15,000 e-cig flavors available online
• 89% of Wisconsin students say they wouldn’t try non-flavored tobacco products
• Chemicals used in flavor vape liquids, like diacetyl,  cause irreparable damage

Advertisements Are Confusing to Teens

These are troubling times. With so much misinformation and disinformation around electronic cigarettes and vapes, teens don’t know what to believe. On the one hand, far fewer teens are smoking or using traditional tobacco products like cigarettes and dip. They clearly understand the short and long term health problems caused by smoking. Maybe they are close to someone who uses tobacco. Maybe it’s their parent or older sibling. On the other hand, they’re now presented with a “safe alternative.”

It’s true, cigarettes are super bad for you. They cause cancer. It is known. What cannot be said is that vapes are safe. Presenting teens with a narrative that they can get all the “benefits” of smoking with none of the health effects is bad business. So bad that people who would have never been interested in nicotine are vaping it daily. Several are getting sick. Some have even died. This is a problem our children face today.

What Can You Do To Help?

The most important thing you can do is to talk openly about the information that is out there. One skill all attorneys are taught is critical thinking. Another way to say this is that they are taught to evaluate information and make judgments on their credibility. You yourself need to practice this skill so you can cut through everything you see on TV and social media and get through to the core of this issue.

You need to lay out all the facts and make a judgment. Smoking is bad for you. Studies have proven over and over that smoking causes short and long term health problems, including cancer. Vaping came to the market as a safer alternative. With very little research and data, people bought this marketing campaign. Fast forward almost a decade, and people are getting seriously sick and even dying from vaping. In conclusion, both smoking and vaping can cause serious health problems.

Here Are Some Ways You Can Help:

1. Visit the website www.tobaccoischanging.com to learn all about how the market for tobacco and nicotine is tempting younger people
2. Go tobacco-free and set a positive example for the people in your life
3. Make your home and workplace a nicotine-free space
4. Teach your children about the facts of the changing tobacco industry
5. Encourage people to quit smoking or vaping
6. Call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669)

What Do Current Vaping Lawsuits Claim?

There are open lawsuits against vape manufacturers in several states, including Wisconsin, Florida, Illinois, and others. The suits claim that advertisers targeted teens by promoting vapes as cool, safe, and trendy. Flavored pods and cool designs also influenced young buyers.

According to the Journal Sentinel:

The vaping lawsuit requests damages for the plaintiffs and a ruling to bar “negligent, unfair, inequitable, deceptive, and unlawful advertising” by Juul.

As lawsuits continued, it appears Juul has had some big considerations. In fact, as recent as September 25, Juul CEO stepped down and terminated advertising of all kinds.

It’s unclear how this will actually help people who have experienced lung illnesses for picked up vaping habits they otherwise would not have. However, it’s a good sign that people are beginning to open their eyes to the dangers of vaping and e-cigs and that no more teens will be targets of predatory advertising.

Contact Domnitz Law Today to Talk About Vaping Lawsuits