Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Racketeering Lawsuit Alleges Juul, Philip Morris Adopted Big Tobacco's Catchy Ad Campaigns Geared Toward Kids
E-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc. and Philip Morris USA Inc. were sued for illegally marketing nicotine-delivery devices to minors and deceiving consumers about the risks of vaping. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 19-year-old, Christian Foss, who says he became addicted to nicotine and suffered worsening asthma symptoms after he began using Juul’s device at 16, and seeks to represent all Illinois minors who used it. It alleges that Juul and Philip Morris violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, adopting the tobacco industry’s past use of catchy ad campaigns aimed at children. The Justice Department invoked RICO to sue the industry two decades ago. (Hanna, 8/19)
Kids used to duck into the school bathroom to sneak a drag on a cigarette. But with the electronic kind, they are becoming increasingly daring, often vaping right under their teachers’ noses. I spoke to more than two dozen teachers, students and administrators across the country about the creative ways high-school and even middle-school kids have found to hide vape pens and take hits of nicotine—and sometimes marijuana—in class. Students conceal them in highlighter pens, pencil cases and long-sleeve shirts. (Jargon, 8/20)
Texans will soon have to wait until their 21st birthday to buy tobacco and nicotine products products — with the exception of young military members. Sen. Joan Huffman, a Republican from Houston, said she crafted Senate Bill 21, which takes effect Sept. 1, hoping that it would keep cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products out of public schools by creating more “social distance” between younger students and students old enough to purchase them. (Roldan, 8/20)
The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Monday it is investigating cases of severe lung disease in Texas adolescents with a history of e-cigarette use, amid reports of similar cases from multiple states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 94 cases of severe lung disease associated with vaping in 14 states since June, though more information is needed to determine an exact cause. (Justin, 8/19)
