The City of Chicago announced Friday a $23.8 million agreement with e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL Labs over claims the company marketed and sold vaping products to youth.
The settlement comes after the city sued the company in 2020, alleging that it violated ordinances through a marketing initiative directed toward underage users. It also claimed JUUL sold products without thoroughly confirming consumer ages.
“E-cigarette businesses cannot be allowed to come in our city and boost their profits at the expense of minors,” Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner, said in a statement.
Joel Africk, Respiratory Health Association CEO, said in the statement that vaping in Chicago children has grown by 56 percent in the last five years.
The harmful effects of vaping include nicotine addiction, risk of mental health issues and exposure to unhealthy chemicals.
“This resolution is another step in our ongoing commitment to resolve issues from the past, place our company on a path forward and fulfill our mission to transition adult smokers away from combustible cigarettes while combating underage use of our products,” a JUUL Labs spokesperson said in a statement.
– Elizabeth Casolo for Health News Illinois