Vaping Giant Juul Faces Another Probe Of Its Marketing

Source from:  Fox Business 08/01/2019

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong launched an investigation into e-cigarette company Juul Opens a New Window. in light of a recent Yale study. Their investigation will focus on smoking cessation claims and marketing practices.

This comes on the heels of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announcing a lawsuit Opens a New Window.  against the national retailer of electronic cigarette and vaping products, alleging the company violated state law by targeting minors for sales of its merchandise.

The study, published Tuesday, Opens a New Window.  revealed previously unknown dangers in connection to the liquids used in Juul's e-cigarettes. Vanillin is banned from use in cigarettes, but it's used in e-cigarettes and has been connected to airway irritation when combined with vapor.

“We were surprised that levels in Juul vapor were already close to safety limits for workplaces where vanillin is used, such as in bakeries and the flavor chemical industry,” co-author Sven-Eric Jordt from Duke University said in the release.

Vanillin can be found in some Juul flavored pods, including “Crème Brulée,” “Cool Cucumber" and “Fruit Medley."

The Yale study found half of the flavors Opens a New Window.  tested, including “Fruit Medley,” contained menthol, which is commonly used to decrease the bitterness of nicotine and often leads to increased nicotine use.

E-cigarettes were considered a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, but health officials insist the nicotine in e-cigarettes is just as harmful Opens a New Window.  as regular cigarettes.

Last week, JUUL co-founder James Monsees testified on Capitol Hill, Opens a New Window.  refuting allegations the vaping company's advertising is targeting America's youth.  Enditem