Juul Labs, the controversial e-cigarette firm backed by Altria, is accused of racketeering, marketing to minors, and operating in a corrupt manner. As the class action lawsuits begin to pile up, no one is asking about the potential for misuse, the impact of potentially large classes on the legal system, and how a firm built on a smoke-free mantra is solely responsible for a public health epidemic.
For the past few weeks, I have gone over several of the class actions that have been filed against Juul Labs. As I read through these suits, I took issue with how these complaints could become resource-draining fiascos for members of the industry including Juul, the members of any supposed class, and the taxpayers.
Before I go any further, please remember that I am not a lawyer. In preparation for this column, I reached out to a colleague who is a lawyer, Chris Howard of the Vapor Technology Association, to provide his assessment of the potential frivolity of these cases.
In the United States, class action lawsuits are not uncommon. These types of legal complaints are the most effective form of filing for people to seek redress and reprieve from the courts for non-criminal abuse. However, the ethical and societal implications of class actions have long been contested.
Michael McGrady – Vaping Post – May 13, 2019.
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