Vaping: Local Law Firm Taking Action Against JUUL

BIRMINGHAM, AL — After stories have surfaced throughout the country involving health problems and deaths related to vaping, a Birmingham law firm is taking action against one of the leading distributors of vaping products.

Beasley Allen Law Firm is representing a number of individuals from Alabama, California, Florida, and Georgia suing JUUL Labs for the negative impact its products have had on their lives, according to a release from the firm.

Most of the plaintiffs became addicted to JUUL as minors and some of them have started smoking regular cigarettes to satisfy their nicotine addiction when JUUL pods aren’t accessible, the firm stated.

These lawsuits allege that JUUL developed a vaping device that specifically targeted children and teens.

Among the allegations:

• JUUL’s easily disguisable design that mimics a flash drive
• Aggressive social media marketing campaigns that targeted minors and young adults
• Pods produced in a multitude of candy-like flavors
• Elevated nicotine levels in those pods
• Failure to warn about the nicotine content and the health risks of vaping nicotine.

The lawsuit alleges that JUUL’s strategies have "created a national epidemic of youth vaping and nicotine addiction."

The effects experienced by plaintiffs in the Beasley Allen lawsuits vary from person to person. Some of the plaintiffs complain of withdrawal symptoms, headaches, irritability, mood swings, aggressive behavior, and lack of concentration associated with nicotine addiction and withdrawal.

One plaintiff who started using a JUUL when he turned 18 says his addiction has caused him to become concerned for his heart and breathing and he has also developed anxiety and panic attacks.

Wednesday, Kevin Burns, the CEO of JUUL stepped down from the company. Last week, Walmart announced it would stop selling vaping products.