Over the past several years Juul has become a popular household name. Due to misleading marketing practices, teens have become addicted to nicotine across the U.S. Now Juul Labs is set to pay North Carolina $40 million to settle a set of lawsuits of enraged victims who claim the company poorly marketed their product.

The settlement for North Carolina cases was announced earlier in June. Although the company was able to avoid going to trial, the Food and Drug Administration is still determining if Juul is safe enough to remain on the market. They still have a long way to go and around 2,600 other cases from thirteen other states – including California, Massachusetts, and New York.

In the U.S. poor marketing can make any company liable and susceptible to a lawsuit, which would require help from a product liability attorney. Juul is no different, although it has acclaimed popularity and success aside from targeting a younger audience. They have yet to confess the allegations are true to limit the number of damages they provide plaintiffs.

Before the lawsuit, e-cigarettes and vapes were thought of as a less harmful way to smoke. Companies and consumers alike believed it would cut smoking-related deaths down from over 400,000 annually.

After extensive research the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other harmful substances that increase one’s chances of smoking in the future. Nicotine is a natural stimulant and anxiolytic that makes smoking highly addictive. One Juul pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes. When heated, released, and inhaled, it can release other toxins into the lungs.

The money Juul is providing in settlements over the next six years will also fund programs to help people kick e-cigarette habits, prevent addiction, and further research. The settlement also requires Juul to sell products behind the counter in N.C. or verify age before selling. Additionally, the company must not use anyone who looks younger than 35 in advertisements.

The legal fight against Juul involves multi-district litigation with several other plaintiffs. As an ongoing epidemic, it is best to consult with a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles – especially if you’re advocating for your child.