An Ohio woman's lawsuit against an e-cigarette maker charges it markets nicotine vapor products to teens like her daughters and fails to warn consumers about the products' high nicotine levels.
The lawsuit against California-based Juul Labs says the woman's 16-year-old twin daughters first tried a device when they were 14. The complaint alleges the girls became addicted to nicotine within one week and began experiencing severe mood swings, migraines, and behavioral issues. Juul says the lawsuit is without merit and has "never marketed to youth." But health experts around the country are increasingly concerned about the dangers of teens taking up e-cigarettes. Columbus Public Health Assistant Commissioner Tonya Johnson say that - while there has been a decline in tobacco use in the last decade - there is a rapid rise in e-cigarette useage. She says vaping is often seen as a safe alternative to cigarettes. Johnson says a recent survey showed 21 percent of teens have used tobacco products, and 7 out of ten began by vaping. She says the department has begun a program specifically targeting teens.
Johnson says the Tobacco-21 law - that raises the age to purchase any nicotine products - has helped slow the growth of e-cigarettes. More resources on curbing teen vaping and smoking is available at the Department's website.
