What should a national settlement agreement with JUUL look like?
If a national settlement results from states pursuing lawsuits against JUUL, the agreement should include significant funding for a centralized national prevention program to combat the youth e-cigarette epidemic, according to recommendations in a new Public Health Law Center paper.
The report — “Roadmap to a National Settlement Agreement: How the Tobacco MSA Helps Frame a Juul Settlement” — draws from successes and lessons from the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) to make recommendations about a potential national settlement between state attorneys general and the makers of the popular e-cigarette JUUL. The landmark 1998 agreement between the major tobacco companies, 46 U.S. states, D.C. and five U.S. territories settled the state lawsuits that sought billions of dollars in costs associated with treating smoking-related illnesses and transformed tobacco control.
In addition to a national prevention program, the Public Health Law Center recommends dedicating funding to develop clinically approved vaping cessation products, ensuring payments are directed to mitigating harm caused by JUUL and vaping, and guaranteeing there are consequences for targeted youth marketing, among other priorities for a potential settlement.
Truth Initiative – 2021-05-20.