Schools across the United States are looking to install or replace vape detectors with funds from a mass action lawsuit against Juul Labs Inc., a company accused of marketing e-cigarettes to children. According to an attorney involved with the case, funds from the lawsuit could help schools implement anti-vaping technology and awareness programs.
Settlement Details
In December of 2021, a settlement was announced in a mass action lawsuit against Juul Labs Inc. The lawsuit was filed by school districts across the country, accusing the company of marketing e-cigarettes to children. Schools are now receiving funds from the settlement, and they are looking to allocate the money toward anti-vaping initiatives.
In New York State, for example, a total of $3.6 million will be allocated to 143 school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) vocational training facilities. The amount awarded to each district is based on the size of the district and when they joined the suit. The funds are unrestricted, but schools are expected to spend them on anti-vaping measures.
Anti-Vaping Technology
Vape detectors can be used to identify the presence of tiny vapor particles emitted from e-cigarettes. Unlike smoke detectors, which are designed to alert and evacuate those in the vicinity, vape sensors can be used more discreetly, allowing school personnel in a different part of the building to catch students red-handed.
According to the website for Triton Sensors, which sells its technology to districts across the country, vape sensors can resemble smoke detectors but are far more sophisticated and costly, especially if linked to monitoring systems.
Some school districts are already looking to allocate funds toward vape sensors. In Greece Central School District in suburban Rochester, N.Y., officials are considering adding vape sensors in more bathrooms within the district’s four high schools. They are also looking to purchase portable open-gate metal detectors, which can be used at school and athletic facility entrances to discourage students from bringing e-cigarettes and vaping pens to campus.
Nicotine and Tobacco Awareness Education Programs
In addition to anti-vaping technology, schools are also expected to use settlement funds to develop nicotine and tobacco awareness education programs. This includes existing youth vaping and nicotine education programs and additional awareness programs or counseling services for students who get caught vaping on school grounds.
The court decision does not require schools to spend their allocations specifically on vape detectors or nicotine and tobacco awareness education programs for students. However, it is likely that much of the money will go toward these initiatives.
Juul Lawsuits and Settlements
Litigations against Juul have involved thousands of plaintiffs across the nation, including individual consumers, local and state governments, schools, and Indian tribes. According to federal court documents, settlement totals so far exceed a billion dollars.
Besides claims that Juul marketed to children, other lawsuits allege that the company failed to provide appropriate warnings about the dangers of its products. On its homepage, Juul issued a statement acknowledging the results of the federal multidistrict litigation filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
“These settlements represent a major step toward strengthening Juul Labs’ operations and securing the company’s path forward to fulfill its mission to transition adult smokers away from combustible cigarettes while combating underage use,” the statement said.
Conclusion
The allocation of funds from the Juul lawsuit settlements could be a major step forward in the fight against youth vaping. Schools across the country are expected to allocate the money toward anti-vaping technology and awareness programs, including vape detectors and nicotine and tobacco education programs. With this funding, schools can work to create a safer and healthier environment for their students.
FAQs
What is the Juul lawsuit?
The Juul lawsuit is a mass action lawsuit against Juul Labs Inc. that accuses the company of marketing e-cigarettes to children and failing to provide appropriate warnings about the dangers of its products.What is the settlement from the Juul lawsuit?
The settlement from the Juul lawsuit involves funds being allocated to schools across the country to help implement anti-vaping technology and awareness programs.What is anti-vaping technology?
Anti-vaping technology includes vape detectors, which can identify the presence of tiny vapor particles emitted from e-cigarettes. Unlike smoke detectors, vape sensors can be used more discreetly, allowing school personnel in a different part of the building to catch students red-handed.What are nicotine and tobacco awareness education programs?
Nicotine and tobacco awareness education programs include existing youth vaping and nicotine education programs and additional awareness programs or counseling services for students who get caught vaping on school grounds.How will schools use the settlement funds?
The court decision does not require schools to spend their allocations specifically on vape detectors or nicotine and tobacco awareness education programs for students. However, it is likely that much of the money will go toward these initiatives, as schools work to create a safer and healthier environment for their students.