Marlboro Maker and Juul Form Partnership Targeting Children
In 2015, Juul, the San Francisco vaping device company, burst on the scene with promises of safety over ordinary cigarettes. Its claims of helping people stop smoking were unfounded. Instead, it has created a new market largely composed of young adults, teens, and children. It uses advertising on social media and a deceptive product image to increase sales. Today, it has grown, and in three years, captured 75 percent of the vaping market sales in the United States. Juul recently announced it will join with the manufacturer of Marlboro cigarettes, Altria. Both companies have built a strong base by marketing their product in a format attractive to children. A group of 11 U.S. senators is questioning their motives in this link between the two giants.
Altria and Juul
Altria has bought a 35-percent stake in Juul, investing $35 million in the company. Juul was valued at $38 billion. Since Juul has marketed itself as an enemy of big tobacco, this seems at odds with this partnership. Altria said it is looking toward a future where adult smokers choose non-combustible products. The maker of Marlboro said that this gives current smokers a choice they have not had in reducing the harm linked to cigarette smoking. In the deal, Marlboro and Juul products will be displayed together, and Juul will have access to Altria’s sales system. With 230,000 retail stores, this will help Juul reach better exposure nationwide.
Composition of Juul Products
Juul cartridges contain a liquid composed of propylene glycol, glycerol, benzoic acid, flavoring and 40 milligrams of nicotine. The amount of nicotine in Juul is more than that found in other vaping devices. This increases the potential for addiction and creates a push for other companies to match it. The higher the amount of nicotine, the greater the damage it causes to vapers or smokers.
Juul uses nicotine salts in their products while most of its competitors use freebase nicotine. Freebase nicotine is modified chemically while nicotine salts are not. The latter substance resembles what is found in tobacco. Nicotine salts keep the vapor from being harsh and increase the amount of nicotine in the bloodstream. Juul devices also contain a much higher level of benzoic acid than other vaping products. Continual use of benzoic acid, as one would have using Juul products, can cause:
- Abdominal pain
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Fetal Damage Caused by Nicotine
Some of the damage caused by nicotine includes:
- Fetal organ and DNA damage to fetuses exposed to the substance can continue for their lifetime, despite stopping exposure.
- Alteration in the neural pathways as the fetus’s brain develops. This disruption continues after birth.
- Some problems associated with fetal nicotine exposure are:
- SIDS
- Low birth weight
- Decreased lung function
- Asthma
- Hypertension
- Obesity in the postnatal period
- Poor kidney function
- Diabetes type 2
- Cognitive problems
- Affective (mood) disorders
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Depressive disorders in the future
- Addiction
- Learning deficits
- Reduced intellectual development
- Lower academic achievement
- Seizures that can lead to brain damage and death
Nicotine and Cancer
We all know the link between nicotine and some forms of cancer, primarily lung. In addition, nicotine may make cancer worse. This happens due to an interaction between the substance and the cancer cells. The amount of nicotine taken in affects the damage that is done. The amount of nicotine in the bloodstream then is a predisposing factor for many diseases, including cancer.
Juul Attracts Young People
Everything from the design of the vaping unit to promises of it being a safer product is geared to attracting younger users. The devices are available in numerous colors and skins, which can be used to personalize it. The pods are available in a variety of flavors from fruit loops to bubble gum. The flavors are sure to attract a younger audience. Because of criticism, Juul has abandoned some of the flavors that are considered juvenile such as pineapple crush or watermelon. However, users can use third-party products to refill the pods.
The most popular flavor is mango. The emphasis on combining flavors that appeal to younger people and a higher nicotine concentration points to Juul’s aim to addict younger vapers. This guarantees a customer for life. It has been shown that someone who starts smoking before 18 will likely be a long-term smoker. This can lead to many serious health issues and death.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
When someone in the family develops health problems related to the use of nicotine products, a family needs to examine what has occurred. This can involve fetal damage, miscarriage or teenage addiction. A personal injury lawyer who is experienced with the dangers of vaping can examine the situation and let you know if you have a case against the manufacturer. This can lead to compensation for the injuries, including the pain and suffering the person experienced. If a member of the family died, the attorney can assist in filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. When someone is injured due to negligence, they have the right to be compensated. The insight a personal injury lawyer can provide is invaluable. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also contact me online.
I’ve helped many people in the Sacramento area with a variety of traumatic injuries from car accidents to head and brain trauma.
Two of the many organizations I belong to require special mention. They are:
- The Million Dollar Advocates, who induct only those lawyers who have won more than $1 million for a client.
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, which extends membership to the top tier of lawyers who provide legal excellence to their clients.
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Photo Attribution: By “Lee Phillips” via Pexels
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