For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Contact:
Nazneen Ahmed (919) 716-0060
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today testified about the dangers of false and misleading marketing on the youth vaping epidemic before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security Subcommittee. Attorney General Stein has become a national leader on e-cigarette issues as North Carolina was the first state to obtain a consent judgment against Juul earlier this summer over its marketing to kids.
“Even after securing major business changes from Juul, we still have more to do to combat the teen vaping epidemic that spread as a result of Juul’s irresponsible and unlawful actions,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “Stopping just one company isn’t enough. We need the federal government to take action to protect young people from the industry’s pervasive underhanded tactics.”
Attorney General Stein filed the first state lawsuit against Juul in 2019 and reached the first state agreement in the nation with Juul that required it to make drastic business changes and pay the state of North Carolina $40 million in 2021. Attorney General Stein’s agreement with Juul requires it to stop marketing to young people, stop all social media and influencer advertising, and stop marketing its products where young people are, such as schools and concerts, among other changes.
From Attorney General Stein’s testimony today:
“We in the states need the help of our federal partners to protect America’s youth – to prohibit nicotine manufacturers and retailers from marketing and selling to young people, using youth-friendly dessert, fruit, and mint and menthol flavors, and developing high concentrations of nicotine that accelerate a person’s dependence.”
View a recording of the hearing here.
Read Attorney General Stein’s full testimony here.
Read more about Attorney General Stein’s litigation against Juul here.
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