Vape company Juul has reportedly patented an AI vape that may aid people who want to quit smoking to wean off nicotine.

Juul Patents AI Vape Pen

A patent filed by Juul in the summer of 2019 was recently made public and reportedly appears to indicate that the company frequently criticized for playing a part in the rise of teen nicotine use may be developing a product meant to help people quit smoking.

The patent is reportedly for a vape pen that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn users’ nicotine habits and slowly decreases the amount of nicotine delivered through inhalation over time.

The AI vape pen may be similar to other methods that help smokers gradually quit, such as nicotine patches or gum. As the AI pen learns users’ habits, it would be able to gradually begin replacing the vaporized nicotine with another product, such as citric acid.

Users of the smart vape pen would be able to sync the pen with a smartphone app, where they could manually adjust the settings regarding their nicotine input, set limits for each session, or engage in social interactions with other users also struggling to quit. Additionally, users would be able to share their nicotine information with their doctors, families, or friends, in order to be held socially accountable for continuing to decrease their nicotine use.

Although the idea of an AI vape pen may sound intriguing to people addicted to e-cigarettes who want to quit smoking, according to a Juul spokesperson, the device may never be made. According to Juul, “Like many companies, we file patent applications for protection on a variety of potential technologies. The fact that we have filed for such patent protection does not mean Juul Labs will move forward with the commercial development of any particular technological concept.”

Although the device may never get manufactured, the reveal of the patent may be part of Juul’s attempts to change public opinion of the vape company. Juul has been criticized for years by consumer advocates for allegedly marketing their vape pens to children and teens. Despite claiming that their products are meant for adults who want to discontinue using traditional cigarettes, some of Juul’s early advertising appeared to target underage smokers, and the company has produced nicotine pods in many teen-friendly flavors.

In early 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency would be instituting a ban on flavored vape pods and e-cigarette cartridges, in part because these products are especially attractive to underage nicotine users. Juul and other e-cigarette companies were ordered to remove flavored nicotine pods, including creme brulee, fruit, cucumber, and mango, from store shelves. Unfortunately, a loophole in the ban allows for single-use flavored vape pens to remain on the market.Yahoo! News reports that educators and others who work with youth say that teens have simply switched to using these disposable devices, which still come in flavors like banana ice and blue raspberry.

Health Consequences for People Addicted to E-Cigarettes

People addicted to e-cigarettes and vape pens may be at risk of developing a variety of dangerous health consequences. One concerning condition, e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury (EVALI), may result in serious side effects including lung damage or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 2,807 cases of vape related lung illness in the U.S. have resulted in hospitalization or death.

This condition is often characterized by shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, nausea, or vomiting.

Other potential health concerns related to the use of e-cigarettes include nicotine overdose, seizures, heart disease, and cancer. Young people who use vape pens may be especially susceptible to the harmful effects of nicotine, as the chemical may damage the still-developing brains of children and teens. People who become addicted to e-cigarettes or nicotine as teens are more likely to continue smoking into adulthood.

If you or a loved one is addicted to e-cigarettes and has suffered side effects including lung damage, vape-related lung illness, seizures, or nicotine overdose, you may be able to hire a qualified attorney to review your case and determine whether you qualify to pursue compensation. Some victims who file lawsuits against the manufacturers of these devices may be able to collect compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, and medical expenses.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.