Vaping Injuries & Lawsuits
For the past several weeks, a growing trend in the United States has been the amount of individuals who suffered vaping injuries.
For those unfamiliar with the term "vaping", it refers to the use of electronic cigarettes. They are devices that heat liquid to produce vapors that can be inhaled. While there are many e-cigarette manufacturers, Juul Labs is the clear industry leader, with 75% of the vaping market.
The problem for many consumers is that Juul Labs has been marketing its products as a safer alternative to cigarettes. Combine this with a wide variety of flavors like mango and watermelon, and you get an epidemic of underaged vaping across the country. Don't take my word for it--this is how the Centers for Disease Control describe the situation with underaged vaping. In 2018, 3.6 million children under 18 admitted to vaping. Twenty percent of high school students did the same. Curiously, 40% of those who used e-cigarettes never were habitual cigarette smokers. This is important, because e-cigarette companies have been saying for years that their products are meant to help those trying to kick their cigarette smoking habits. This statistic throws cold water on that argument.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed across the country naming Juul Labs and its minority stakeholder Altria Group as defendants. Some governmental entities, including the North Carolina Attorney General, have sued Juul Labs for deceptive marketing. And thousands of people have been admitted to hospitals across the country with lung problems related to vaping. In some cases these have been for grievous injuries.
The Centers for Disease Control has activated the Emergency Operations Center to better coordinate and study the effects of vaping use amongst the public. CDC lists symptoms of lung injuries associated with vaping as:
- Cough or shortness of breath.
- Chest pain
- Fatigue and fever.
This post is not intended as medical advice. But if you or someone you know has suffered injuries related to vaping, the CDC recommends you seek immediate medical attention. CDC also is urging the public to refrain from vaping until the full effects of vaping can be determined. You can view an important CDC infographic on the topic of vaping here.
If you or someone you know suffered a vaping or e-cigarette injury in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, the Rabbi Lawyer is ready to assist, 24/6.
