Did you know that Juul was the most popular e-cigarette brand among middle and high schoolers in 2020? Feeding into teens and adults’ unhealthy addiction to vaping, each JUUL contains 40 mg of nicotine or the equivalent of the amount of nicotine in one pack of cigarettes. As talked about previously, nicotine in e-cigarettes is extremely harmful and incredibly addictive. Nicotine releases dopamine in the brain, which gives users a good feeling. Over time, the brain starts to crave that nicotine feeling so people need to use more and more nicotine products to replicate that same good feeling.

JUUL launched its e-cigarette company in 2015. Since then, they have released over 50 “pod” flavors, ranging from simple flavors like cucumber and mango, to intricate flavors like creme brulee and coco mint. Along with its ‘appealing flavors’, JUUL advertises its products and specifically targets teens and young adults, going as far as to pay schools to show students how to use a JUUL, but also using cartoon platforms such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network and bright colors to intrigue and excite consumers.

After their two-year-long investigation, in the summer of 2022, the FDA ordered JUUL to remove their products from the U.S. market. The company has to pay $400 million to the thirty-three states that participated in the investigation. There will be teaching requirements in schools with the hopes of preventing kids from vaping. Along with this, the FDA required JUUL and other e-cigarette companies to submit plans detailing how they will dissuade teens from using their products.

In addition to this case, JUUL is also facing hundreds of other lawsuits from users that claim to be misled by their products and caused health injuries. There are many lawsuits against JUUL from users that developed an addiction to their products as well.

With this investigation, the FDA and the general public recognized the harmful effects of vaping. This ‘trend’ has taken over the world. The FDA urges e-cigarette users, especially teens, to quit now before it’s too late.