NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken a decisive step in combating the youth vaping epidemic by allocating $27.1 million to New York City from a $462 million multistate settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. This historic settlement, a result of JUUL’s role in the youth vaping crisis, will support numerous initiatives aimed at reducing underage e-cigarette use and assisting young New Yorkers in quitting vaping.
The $27.1 million will be divided between the city and the New York City School District, with $12.2 million going to the city and nearly $15 million allocated to the school district. This funding is part of a larger $112.7 million that New York state will receive from the settlement, distributed across various counties and educational bodies to bolster anti-vaping efforts.
“JUUL created a nationwide public health crisis by sparking a wave of addiction among children,” said Attorney General James. “Thanks to our efforts to hold JUUL accountable, New York City will receive over $27 million for valuable programs to fight back against the youth vaping epidemic. Our children’s health is on the line, and these funds will be used for education, prevention, enforcement, and research to keep our kids safe.”
The rise in vaping among youth has been alarming. Following JUUL’s launch in 2015, e-cigarette use by New York City high school students surged from 8.1% in 2014 to 23.5% by 2018. By 2019, vaping-related illnesses led to over 2,500 hospitalizations nationwide, and a 17-year-old from the Bronx became the youngest vaping-related fatality in the U.S.
In 2019, Attorney General James sued JUUL for deceptive marketing practices that targeted young people. The lawsuit culminated in April 2023 with the largest multistate agreement with JUUL and its executives, addressing the company’s role in promoting underage vaping.
Settlement funds will support:
- Public Education Campaigns: Initiatives to prevent e-cigarette use among young people.
- Anti-Vaping Programs: Community, school, and university-based programs.
- Vaping Cessation Services: Available in communities, schools, and colleges.
- Law Enforcement: Ensuring compliance with vaping laws and regulations.
- Public Health Research: Studying e-cigarette use and anti-vaping program effectiveness.
The settlement also imposes strict marketing and sales restrictions on JUUL, including a ban on targeting youth, limiting purchases, performing compliance checks, and increasing transparency through a document depository.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, “Nicotine addiction among middle and high school youth is exploding, and this administration will not sit idly by as nicotine-pushers continue to harm our youth.”
Key lawmakers and public health advocates echoed these sentiments, praising Attorney General James for her leadership in holding JUUL accountable and directing funds to crucial anti-vaping efforts.
The allocation of these funds represents a significant step towards addressing the youth vaping epidemic, emphasizing education, prevention, and enforcement to protect the health of New York’s youth.
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