JUUL pays $2.5 million to the U.S. state of Minnesota, with the total settlement amount reaching $60.5 million

Key points: 

·Funding situation: Minnesota, USA has received a total of $60.5 million from JUUL, including an additional $2.5 million, to be paid over 8 years. 

·Restrictive measures: JUUL is prohibited from marketing to teenagers, selling flavored products, limited in outdoor advertising and event sponsorship, and must disclose sales and nicotine content. 

·Lawsuit background: Filed in December 2019, the lawsuit accuses JUUL of targeting teenagers deceptively, with settlement funds earmarked for youth smoking prevention.

According to a report from KIMT on August 18th, Keith Ellison, the Attorney General of Minnesota, announced that the state has received an additional $2.5 million from the e-cigarette company JUUL.

This payment is part of a settlement agreement reached after the US FDA approved some JUUL products. Following the trial in March to April 2023, the state has received $58 million from JUUL and its former parent company Altria Group.

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison stated, "Minnesota has made significant progress in the fight against youth nicotine use, until JUUL and Altria deceived and addicted a new generation of children to nicotine. These companies have caused real harm to the children of Minnesota, so I took them to court and won a settlement, which will help compensate for the damage caused by JUUL and Altria. I hope this additional payment serves as a reminder that I will not tolerate the promotion of nicotine products to youth in Minnesota.

According to the settlement agreement, JUUL must adhere to strict marketing restrictions, including:

Prohibit marketing and sales to children and young people, including the use of models under 35, advertising on clothing, entertainment, and social media platforms, and selling flavored products. Restrict JUUL sponsorship of events and outdoor advertising in Minnesota. Prohibit JUUL from distributing product samples. Require JUUL to accurately disclose the nicotine content of its products. Regulate the in-store sales of JUUL products and limit online sales. Develop a compliance plan for retailers in Minnesota to ensure proper age verification for the sale of JUUL products.

The lawsuit began in December 2019, alleging that JUUL used deceptive tactics to target teenagers. The settlement between Minnesota and JUUL and Altria Group totals $60.5 million over eight years, with the funds specifically earmarked for preventing youth smoking and e-cigarette use.