Baltimore, Maryland, Mayor Brandon Scott has announced a lawsuit settlement with Juul Labs. According to the City of Baltimore, the e-cigarette company must pay $7.5 million by the end of 2024 or make three separate payments of $8 million by October 2026.
The lawsuit was initially filed in 2020 for “deceptive marketing campaigns” aimed towards minors, as well as endangering the health of city residents and costing the city for having to push back against the e-cigarette marketing schemes, as stated by the City of Baltimore, according to media reports.
“Since taking office, my administration has done everything in our power to invest in Baltimore’s young people to ensure they can reach their full potential. Achieving that aim means focusing on every aspect of their lives – including their health,” said Scott.
According to the City of Baltimore, the settlement was reached after they declined to participate in a global resolution that would have only recovered $1.9 million for the city.
“We have and will continue to refuse settlement offers that do not fairly compensate Baltimore City for the harms that the misconduct of these companies brings on us,” said City Solicitor Ebony Thompson.