Texas just became the latest state to join the growing fight against vape giant Juul by conducting an investigation into the company and their marketing. The inquiry comes after an increased number of illnesses were purportedly linked to vaping in the past year and a reported increase in underage vaping. The state’s investigation will help determine whether the company properly conveyed just how potentially dangerous the products can be, according to Fort Forth Star Telegram.
There are now 39 states in total that are looking into Juul as the vaping crisis across the nation is being described as an epidemic. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement regarding their decision to begin this investigation as well as the specific goal the state wants to accomplish.
“I am pleased to be working alongside other states to determine whether any of JUUL’s statements or business practices mislead or otherwise harmed consumers. Protecting Texans from deceptive business practices is a high priority for my office, and I am committed to holding companies accountable for the quality, effects, and marketing of their products.”
As well as an increase in vaping-related illnesses, the state of Texas even reported a death from an illness purportedly related to e-cigarettes in October. Health officials are likely looking to raise awareness regarding the dangers that Juul and all e-cigarettes could present.
The investigation will also gather further information to determine if Juul specifically targeted young adults and teens through their marketing, which the company has been accused of previously.
Earlier this month the state of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit against Juul, accusing them of trying to present their products as safe and even cool. State officials allegedly found the company’s advertisements on certain websites geared toward children. Some of the websites were connected to the children’s television network Nickelodeon as well as academic sites that were intended to help children with their homework.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey released a statement regarding the lawsuit, as The Inquisitr previously reported.
“Over and over we’ve heard Juul say that it came to market to offer a device that was an alternative to cigarettes, and in fact would even help adults switch and stop smoking. But our investigation showed that that was not true.”
President Donald Trump made the decision to ban flavored nicotine products as well as raise the minimum age to obtain vaping products and traditional smoking products from 18 years old to 21 years old.