RICHMOND, Virginia — Editor's Note: The video above first aired July, 24 2022.
Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Tuesday that Virginia is joining 33 other states in a settlement against JUUL Labs for using tactics to addict a new generation of Americans to nicotine.
Under the terms of the $434.9 million settlement, JUUL is required to pay Virginia at least $16.8 million, with a first payment of $1.58 million to be paid after the settlement is approved in court.
The settlement resolves claims that since 2015, JUUL has used social media marketing campaigns, easily concealable e-cigarette designs, fun flavors, and various other tactics to get kids to use their "vaping" products.
The settlement prohibits JUUL from engaging in a variety of misleading marketing tactics, including:
- Marketing to youth
- Funding education programs
- Depicting persons under age 35 in any marketing
- Using cartoon advertisements
- Selling flavors not approved by FDA
- Allowing access to websites without age verification on the landing page
- Advertising in outlets unless 85 percent of the audience is adult
- Using paid influencers
The attorney general Miyares announced the agreement in principle in September. Miyares filed the settlement as a proposed Consent Judgement on Tuesday in the City of Richmond Circuit Court. The settlement requires court approval.
“I am proud of my office’s efforts to address the harm caused in this case nationwide and here in Virginia. Our consumer protection section will continue to work tirelessly to hold bad actors accountable when they disregard the health and welfare of Virginians, particularly our youth,” said Attorney General Miyares.
The following states joined Virginia in the settlement: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
WATCH NEXT:
Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.