March 2, 2020

Vaping-related health issues are on the rise and teens may have been deceptively targeted.

As Louisiana recently reported it’s third vaping death, 34 deaths reported nationally, and federal health officials calling it a youth epidemic, it’s clearly time to talk to your teen about vaping.

The numbers are alarming. From 2017 to 2019, e-cigarette use among high school students rose by 135 percent. In 2019, more than 5.3 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes, an increase of nearly 3.2 million students in two years.

In Louisiana, the number of students reporting vaping has doubled since 2017. In 2019, nearly 32 percent of high school students and 15 percent of middle school students reported vaping several times, and 1 in 4 middle school students and half of high school students have tried vaping at least once.

The brand of choice, and the most recognized, among high school students is Juul. Juul is currently under fire and facing several legal claims for alleged deceptive marketing practices. In particular, the candy and fruit flavored pods had become very popular among teens as well as Juul’s use of social media.

It had also marketed its products as a safe alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. Juul has denied this, yet over half of high school students said it was their brand of choice.

Here’s what you should know: Juul e-cigarettes are sleek, high tech and easy to hide. They look like USB flash drives and can be charged in the USB port of a computer. They don’t look anything like a traditional tobacco product. A Juul pod is small enough to fit inside a closed hand.

Juul comes in flavors that appeal to youth, including mango, fruit, creme, mint, menthol, and cucumber. Research shows that flavors play a key role in youth use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Juul appears to deliver nicotine more effectively and at higher doses than other e-cigarettes, increasing users’ risk of addiction. The manufacturer has claimed that each Juul cartridge of nicotine liquid contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. However, prior to November of 2018, there was no warning on the Juul product that it even contained nicotine.

Research has found that many young Juul users didn’t know the product always contained nicotine, and many teens call use of the product “juuling,” indicating they may not realize it is an e-cigarette or tobacco product.

Your child may face a lifelong struggle with health and addiction issues. If you find that your teen has tried or may be addicted to Juul e-cigarettes or has suffered a lung injury as a result, help is available. New Orleans-based Glago Williams Law Firm is now accepting Juul claims and offering help with addiction and health issues. Consultations are free — call 504.500.2020.

Editor’s Note: This content is sponsored by the Glago Williams Law Firm.

Since 2003, Mark Glago and the Glago Williams Law Firm have been advocating and fighting to protect the legal rights of Louisiana neighbors, communities, and families. The legal team at Glago Williams is passionate about providing quality and personalized representation to individuals, families, and businesses in the Gulf South area. For more information, visit glagowilliams.com.