Florida Attorney General James Usmier on Monday said he was working on Juul Labs, Inc. to settle a lawsuit against past marketing for a company targeting Florida children. has announced a $79 million settlement with the company. As a result of the settlement, Juul must not take steps to reach Florida youth with advertising, promotions or marketing for Juul Products.
“As a father, child safety and welfare is always the best in our hearts. Florida is the leader in the fight to end teenage vaping and is proud to announce this monumental settlement with Juul,” Attorney General James Usmier said. “But our work continues. That’s why I’m establishing the Florida vape-free Florida Fund, which protects the $30 million settlement fund from harmful marketing and products towards enforcement of Florida’s law.”
The settlement comes after the Attorney General’s Office investigates and files a lawsuit to halt the company’s past marketing practices. The lawsuit alleges that Juul created a technology-centric Vaping device that children can easily hide from their parents, and sold nicotine products in flavors known to be attractive to minors.
As a result of the settlement, Juul paid Florida $79 million, of which $30 million will be directed to the Vape Free Florida Fund to help the state enforce the nicotine and steam laws under Attorney General Uthmeier’s direction. Juul also agrees not to take action to target young people in advertising and promotion of products in Florida.
Additional terms of the settlement are as follows:
Juul must not use the model in ads under the age of 35. Juul must not use a brand name or cartoon in any of its ads. Juul must not place its products or logos on television or films. Juul shall not make a claim or expression to compare quantification of the amount of nicotine in a Juul product with that found in flammable tobacco products. Juul should not advertise products in Florida media or outlets, unless more than 85% of media audiences are young people, according to the nationally established advertising demographic service. And Juul should not use Florida signs.
Click here to view a copy of the settlement.
