Although Juul pods and other vape pens and e-cigarettes are popular among teens, some research indicates that underage users may not be entirely aware of the harmful ingredients in these products, which can cause major health issues like lung damage or heart problems. Some may not even be aware that “every Juul pod contains highly addictive nicotine,” according to the American Lung Association.

What are the ingredients in Juul pods?

Juul pods are small containers filled with nicotine e-liquid. These pods attach to a Juul or vape pen, where the liquid nicotine is vaporized and inhaled—“roughly as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes,” according to the American Lung Association. However, in addition to nicotine, there are several other potentially harmful ingredients in Juul pods.

The liquid found in Juul pods is mostly made up of solvents with some added nicotine. These solvents allow the liquid to vaporize when it is heated up. The most common solvents found in e-liquid products are glycerin and propylene glycol, which are odorless and often tasteless liquids.

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined both of these liquids to be relatively safe when ingested, it is unknown whether these products are also safe to be inhaled. Both propylene glycol and glycerin have the potential to form formaldehyde when they degrade, a potentially dangerous substance that may be toxic to humans. Inhaling them may lead to damage to the lungs and throat. The FDA launched an investigation into the product over the concern that Juul pods may cause seizures.

In addition to the solvents that form the base for the liquid, many brands of nicotine Juul pods also add flavorings to these solutions. Prior to a recent ban on flavors announced by the FDA, these pods would be sold in flavors including cotton candy, fruit punch, and crème brûlée. As these flavors are caused by chemicals rather than natural flavoring, they may also pose a health risk to vape users. While many flavoring chemicals have been studied and deemed safe for ingestion, little research has been done into the potential dangers of inhaling these vaporized substances.

What do teens know about the ingredients in Juul pods?

According to some research into teen vaping habits, these young e-cigarette users may not only be unaware of the dangerous ingredients in Juul pods, but they may also be unaware that these products contain nicotine. More than 60 percent of young people who use Juul may not be aware that the product also contains nicotine, according to a report from the Truth Initiative in 2018. While some other brands of vape pens and e-cigarettes produce products that contain only flavored vapor with no nicotine content, Juul’s products all contain nicotine. This recent research may indicate that underage vape pen users are alarmingly unaware of the potential health risks they may be exposed to, in addition to the risk of nicotine addiction.

Nicotine use can cause serious health issues, including e-cigarette addiction and heart problems. But year after year, more young people are becoming e-cigarette users. According to the FDA, in 2019, more than 5 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes, with nearly a million of these kids using e-cigarette products on a daily basis.

Equally disturbing is the rate at which youth e-cigarette use is increasing. In 2018, the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes was about 3.6 million, but increased by 1.8 million to 5.4 million in 2019, according to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Juul is under investigation for its marketing practices which may have deliberately targeted young people in a similar fashion to the cigarette industry years ago, promoting images of young people and social media influencers using their products, emphasizing the flavor options, and marketing their products with a sleek, fashionable design—even offering an educational curriculum for schools, which analysis published in the Journal of Adolescent Health later showed skipped over important information about Juul products’ risks, according to The Daily Beast. Three new lawsuits were filed in 2022 relating to Juul’s marketing practices.

Is there a safe Juul pods alternative for school kids?

While the safest alternative to smoking for school kids and other minors is to simply refrain from using vape pens or e-cigarettes, there are some brands of vape pens that offer nicotine-free options. Many of these brands offer packages of vape pens and nicotine-free pods and advertise these products as starter packs. Due to the lack of nicotine, some teens may think that nicotine-free vape pens are a safe Juul pod alternative. However, these products may still expose users to health risks, as they are inhaling vaporized chemicals and other substances.

Filing a Juul lawsuit

If you or your child has suffered from health side effects due to the harmful ingredients in Juul pods or other vape pens, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the manufacturer. Hiring a qualified attorney to review your case may be the first step toward opening an investigation or class action lawsuit. Some victims may be able to recover compensation for injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.