What is a Juul?
A Juul is an electronic cigarette created in 2015 by San Francisco based e-cigarette company Juul Labs. It was developed as a battery-operated alternative to conventional smoking, mimicking the physical and sensory experience of smoking a cigarette. It works by converting liquid nicotine into a vapor that the user inhales. This liquid is stored in what Juul calls a “pod.” Pods are available in both 3% and 5% nicotine strengths, as well as numerous flavors like mango and mint. Juul pods typically consist of propylene glycol, nicotine, glycerin, benzoic acid, and food flavorings. The act of vaping a Juul is often referred to as “Juuling.” Due to its sleek design, slim size and variety of flavor options, since its inception Juul quickly gained popularity, especially among minors and younger generations.
Juul Risks – What are Some Juul Side Effects?
Since Juul is marketed as a “satisfying alternative to cigarette products,” many consumers believe this indicates that they are also safer. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Juul pods hold the same amount of nicotine as a standard pack of cigarettes — a dangerous quantity for anyone to consume. From severe lung injuries like popcorn lung to addiction and even death, smoking a Juul comes with a long list of potentially harmful side effects.
Juul Lung Injuries
EVALI
EVALI, an acronym for e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury, is the name given by the CDC to the newly identified lung disease associated with vaping. According to the American Lung Association, there is no specific test for EVALI. Instead, health professionals often diagnose the disease after prolonged e-cigarette or vape usage coinciding with the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest tightness and pain
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Weight loss
The American Lung Association estimates that 96% of patients with EVALI will be hospitalized and with no known treatment, the diagnosis can be fatal.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia (BOOP)
BOOP is a lung disease that causes inflammation in the small airways (bronchioles) and air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It is caused by inhaling toxic substances, like from the chemicals in a Juul pod, and is diagnosed through a lung biopsy after a patient complains of flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath and other respiratory issues. BOOP can often be treated with corticosteroids, but serious and advanced cases may require a lung transplant.
Popcorn Lung
The technical name for popcorn lung is bronchiolitis obliterans. It is an inflammatory condition of the lungs’ airways. The term popcorn lung originated when a group of workers at a popcorn factory suffered lung injuries after inhaling the toxic chemical diacetyl, which was added to the popcorn to create the buttery flavor. While diacetyl has since been removed from popcorn, it remains in many e-cigarettes as a flavoring additive. Symptoms of popcorn lung include:
- Fever
- Wheezing and coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Night sweats
Learn more about popcorn lung and the lawsuits against Juul here.
Nicotine Addiction from Juuling
Nicotine is a toxic and highly addictive chemical which once inhaled, can lead to a host of medical conditions. Juul has allowed consumers to assume that their product contains less nicotine than cigarettes, and is therefore less addictive. This is not the case. In fact, according to a study by the University of California San Francisco, Juul delivers more nicotine per puff than both conventional cigarettes and other e-cigarettes. This high concentration makes Juuling extremely addictive and dangerous. Nicotine use can lead to a host of serious health issues in almost every organ and system in the body. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that those who regularly smoke Juuls are at an increased risk to become habitual cigarette smokers.
Can Juul cause seizures?
While the use of Juuls and similar e-cigarettes are most often linked to lung and respiratory issues, there is evidence substantiated by the FDA that Juuling can also lead to seizures, particularly in young adults.
Seizures can occur the very first time a person uses an e-cigarette. If you had a seizure after using a Juul, call 866-465-1419 or fill out a form to speak with an experienced attorney who can help.
Does Juul cause strokes?
A report by the American Stroke Association maintains that compared to non-smokers, users of e-cigarettes like Juul are at an increased risk of stroke.
If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke after using a Juul, call us at 866-465-1419 or fill out the form to be connected with a leading Juul injury lawyer.
Juul Death
It’s apparent smoking a Juul can be extremely hazardous to one’s health. With increasing research emerging that points to Juul causing lung diseases like EVALI and conditions like strokes and seizures, the unfortunate truth is that Juul use can potentially lead to death. The CDC reports that as of the beginning of 2020, 2,807 EVALI hospitalizations and deaths were reported in the United States — with all 50 states reporting cases.
These deaths are preventable and Juul needs to be held accountable. If your loved one died after suffering from an illness caused by using a Juul, contact us by filling out a form or calling 866-465-1419 to connect with a top Juul and e-cigarette lawsuit attorney.
Juul Lawsuit
With so many teens and young adults becoming addicted to their Juuls and consequently suffering from major health issues, many lawsuits have inevitably been filed and continue to be filed against the brand.
If you think you may have a claim against Juul Labs, fill out a form or call 866-465-1419 to speak with an experienced attorney who can guide you through joining an e-cigarette or Juul lawsuit.
What are the claims in Juul E-Cigarette Lawsuits?
Marketing to Minors
Juul’s initial marketing campaigns specifically targeted teenagers and younger populations. Juul created innovative and appealing flavors and packaged their product to look fun and cool. The thin and sleek design which allows users to vape discreetly is especially enticing to minors who are then able to smoke during class or in areas where smoking is generally prohibited. In September of 2019, the FDA issued a warning letter to Juul for their marketing tactics after it emerged that Juul gave a presentation to a school where the speaker promoted Juul as a safe alternative to cigarettes, which in many ways is entirely untrue.
Nicotine Promotion
Many lawsuits against Juul Labs claim that Juul was well aware of the abundance of health risks related to the high amounts of nicotine in their product, but still failed to warn consumers of these dangers.
Brain Development
Juul lawsuits claim the nicotine and other toxic chemicals in Juuls can incur long-term effects on brain development in youth. Since the part of the brain that’s responsible for decision making and impulse control is not yet fully developed during adolescence, young people are more likely to take risks with their health and safety, including using nicotine and other drugs. Exposing young adults’ underdeveloped brains to high amounts of nicotine, like the quantity present in Juul pods, puts them uniquely at risk for a variety of health complications. These issues include nicotine addiction, mood disorders, and permanent lowering of impulse control. Nicotine also changes the way synapses are formed, which can harm the parts of the brain that control attention and learning.
Failure to Warn Risks of Nicotine Addiction
Another claim against Juul Labs is their intentional failure to caution consumers of the danger of becoming addicted to nicotine by using Juul products. In fact, according to the FDA, Juul marketed their products as “modified risk tobacco products,” making it seem like Juuls are actually less addicting than cigarettes, which is not the case. The FDA is currently conducting an investigation on whether Juul’s advertising led consumers to falsely believe that the risk of tobacco intake and addiction were small or non-existent.
Defective and Dangerous Products
Is Juul dangerous? Defective or dangerous products include products that are made faulty or do not have the proper warnings attached to them and in turn, harm the consumer. Juul has been accused of not properly warning consumers of the risks associated with smoking Juuls, which caused users to smoke the e-cigarettes without knowing the genuine health risks they were taking. Juul can therefore be considered a dangerous product and those who have suffered health effects from Juuling may be entitled to compensation through a defective and dangerous product claim.
If you believe you have a claim against Juul Labs, we can connect you with a leading Juul and e-cigarette attorney who can help. Call us at 866-465-1419 or fill out the form below.
Joining a Juul E-cigarette Class Action Lawsuit
Countless injured consumers have joined and filed lawsuits against Juul Labs, suing the company over their marketing tactics aimed at teens and young adults and their failure to warn consumers of the long term health effects involved in using their product.
If you or a loved one has used a Juul and as a result, developed an illness or addiction to nicotine, you may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit. Contact us by filling out the form below or calling us at 866-465-1419 to be connected with an attorney who can help.
Current Juul Class Action Lawsuits
Currently, there are over 300 lawsuits against Juul with the number expected to grow as more and more teens are becoming addicted to the product and subsequently harmed by it.
How can I join a Juul Lawsuit?
In order to join a lawsuit against Juul Labs, you’ll need an experienced legal team to guide you through the process. If you have suffered an injury after smoking a Juul, it’s possible you are eligible for compensation and joining a lawsuit can get you the damages you deserve.
The Law Center Can Help
The Law Center connects people who were wrongfully injured by the negligence of others with the leading attorneys who can help get their lives back on track. If you believe you have been injured by using a Juul product, we are here to ensure you and your family get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Contact us by calling 866-465-1419 or filling out the form below to learn more about joining a class action Juul lawsuit and to be connected with one of our experienced and caring attorneys.
Sources
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/5961/bronchiolitis-obliterans-organizing-pneumonia
- https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/evali
- https://www.healthline.com/health/juul-side-effects#side-effects
- https://www.martinhealth.org/what-you-should-know-about-juul
- https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/e-cigarettes-parents
- https://www.lung.org/blog/popcorn-lung-risk-ecigs
- https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Juuling-Get-the-Facts.aspx
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/how-smoking-and-nicotine-damage-your-body
- https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/ctp-newsroom/some-e-cigarette-users-are-having-seizures-most-reports-involving-youth-and-young-adults
- https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20190130/vaping-tied-to-rise-in-stroke-heart-attack-risk#1
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-juul-labs-marketing-unauthorized-modified-risk-tobacco-products-including-outreach-youth
- https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/e-cigarettes-facts-stats-and-regulations
- https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/juul-nicotine-levels-cigarettes-study-934583/
- https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/4715/presentation/10365