Juul Labs Inc. will pay Indiana more than $15.7 million to settle allegations that the company deliberately marketed its products to minors, Attorney General Todd Rokita announced today. Indiana is one of 32 states participating in a larger agreement under which Juul Labs will pay out nearly $435 million.
“My team and I fight daily to protect Hoosiers from improper business practices that put families at risk,” Rokita said, as reported by am1050. “Wrongful actions that jeopardize children are especially repugnant and shameful. Fortunately, the money we have recovered in this settlement can go toward safeguarding the same young people targeted by the unethical marketing strategies employed by Juul.”
Indiana’s funds are intended to be used in support of prevention, education, harm reduction and mitigation efforts related to youth using electronic nicotine-delivery systems.
Juul Labs has an option to pay over 6-10 years — with the total payout increasing the longer it takes to pay. If Juul Labs chooses a 10-year option, Indiana’s amount would exceed $17.1 million. Juul’s first payment to Indiana will be $1,478,665 — due Dec. 31, 2022. All additional payments are due on Dec. 31 each year.
Juul Labs announced today that it had settled more than 5,000 lawsuits covering more than 10,000 individual plaintiffs.