Syracuse, NY(NCC News) – The Syracuse City School District initiated legal action against JUUL, seeking damages exceeding $130,000. The lawsuit alleges that the e-cigarette company deliberately marketed its flavored vaping products to children.
According to Dr. Emily Norris, a professor at Upstate University, while research on electronic cigarettes is still emerging, the adverse health effects are undeniable.
“They are definitely detrimental…they probably have some sort of effect fibrosing the lungs, just repeated lung damage as people are using them,” said Dr. Norris. “I think we’re going to see more information come out as more longitudinal studies are done.”
JUUL’s products are notorious for their high nicotine concentration, contributing to their addictive nature. Quitting becomes a significant challenge due to this elevated nicotine content.
“From a production standpoint, if you get kids hooked young, they’re going to be lifelong users, lifelong spenders, and I definitely think that is problematic,” said Dr. Norris.
The lawsuit has garnered significant support, with over 140 school districts across New York joining the legal action against JUUL. If found guilty, the company could face a substantial financial blow, with an estimated loss of over $5 million in revenue.
This legal move reflects a broader concern about the impact of vaping on the health of young individuals, prompting a unified response from educational institutions across the state.
