Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing JUUL Labs, a major manufacturer of e-cigarettes. Ellison’s announcement brought applause this morning at the State Capitol. The suit alleges JUUL marketed as safe, products with more addictive doses of nicotine than conventional cigarettes, did not verify customers’ ages as required by state law, and deliberately ignored that underage Minnesotans were purchasing its products.
Governor Tim Walz says, “My message to JUUL as they’re listening today is, you can hire your attorneys, you will have your day in court, but we will bring the righteous justice of the State of Minnesota down on JUUL.”
JUUL says its customer base is the world’s one billion adult smokers and “we do not intend to attract underage users.” The company says it recently stopped accepting U-S orders for mint JUULpods, suspended all broadcast, print and digital advertising in the U-S, and is expanding its commitment to develop new technology to reduce youth use.