A recent investigation found that e-cigarette maker Juul Labs may have attempted to recruit public health researchersto conduct research in support of Juul products.

Juul Labs Accused of Attempting to Solicit Public Health Workers

According to KSTP in Minneapolis, Juul Labs may have tried to legitimize its e-cigarette products by reaching out to public health researchers, including at least one from the University of Minnesota.

Michael P. was doing a fellowship at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Pediatrics in 2019 when he claims to have received an e-mail from Juul’s director of medical affairs looking to collaborate on potential research opportunities. During a follow-up phone call with the company, Michael claims that a Juul representative told him the company was interested in funding research on its products.

However, this type of research is generally assumed to be unbiased. Juul Labs reaching out directly to researchers with offers to fund studies into its own products appears to be a conflict of interest. Michael declined the offer due to his belief that Juul Labs wanted to be involved in the research process.

KSTP reported that Juul Labs has contacted other researchers across the country and those scientists also declined the offers. According to a statement released by Juul Labs, the company has ceased soliciting researchers to conduct company-funded studies.

Juul Labs Controversies

In addition to accusations of attempting to fund research supporting the company’s claims that e-cigarettes and vape pens are a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, Juul Labs is also facing multiple lawsuits filed by both states and individuals. Some of the suits are filed by people who claim to have suffered injuries stemming from the use of Juul products, while others claim that Juul illegally marketed its products to children and teens.

The Denver Post reported that a lawsuit filed by the Colorado Attorney General accuses Juul of intentionally marketing vape pens to minors by targeting “cool kids,” partnering with influencers to promote products and creating nicotine pods in fruity or dessert flavors. In addition to kid-friendly flavors, the product’s design may have made it attractive to minors. Juul vape pens look similar to USB or thumb drives and may appeal to teens who want a discreet way to vape while hiding the evidence from their parents.

An alleged flaw in Juul’s online age verification policy and replacement process may have made it easy for teens to get their hands on these devices. Rather than requiring users to send in broken vape pens in order to receive a replacement, Juul’s system only required consumers to submit a serial number. This allowed many people to receive several replacements for devices that may never have been broken.

Although Juul Labs has marketed its vape pens as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, the devices often contain as much or more nicotine than regular cigarettes. One Juul nicotine pod may contain approximately the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. Since many vapes mask the nicotine with flavors such as creme brulee, mint, or cool cucumber, it may be easy to accidentally inhale more nicotine than expected. Overexposure to nicotine may result in severe health consequences.

Dangers of Vape Pens

It’s not just dangerous side effects related to smoking, such as lung cancer, that is worrisome. Vaping may pose additional threats. In 2019, a vape-related lung condition known as e-cigarette vaping associated lung injury, or EVALI, resulted in the hospitalization of approximately 3,000 people, with nearly 70 fatalities. According to research, EVALI is linked to vitamin-E acetate, an additive in many vape pods that is used to thicken the liquid nicotine. When this acetate is inhaled, it can damage the lungs.

If you have suffered lung, heart, or other organ damage from using a Juul Labs vape pen,  you may be eligible to speak with an experienced attorney about your potential legal options.