Common Physical Injuries Caused by JUUL

In recent years, more smoking alternatives have hit the shelves and online stores, including JUUL. According to JUUL’s website, their mission is to “improve the lives of the world’s one billion adult smokers.” But is JUUL, an e-cigarette company, really an improvement over traditional cigarettes?

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we are regularly contacted by adults and minors who have been injured due to using JUUL’s vaping products. We have represented minors who became addicted to nicotine through consistent use of JUUL. We have worked with adults who have suffered nicotine poisoning, respiratory problems, and other physical injuries caused by JUUL.

To schedule a free consultation of your case with a skilled defective product lawyer, call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW, or reach out online.

The Growing Popularity of JUULs

JUUL is the most popular brand of e-cigarettes in the U.S., according to The New York Times. As the brand’s market share increase, so too has concern regarding its popularity among teenagers. In 2018, more than 3.6 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes. It is more than likely a significant percentage of these minors know of and used a JUUL product.

Though JUUL e-cigarettes do not involve leaf tobacco and other products used in traditional cigarettes, they do include nicotine. The company packages nicotine salts and other ingredients into one-time use cartridges, known as JUUL pods. Each pod has about the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. They come several flavors, like mango, mint, menthol, crème, fruit, cucumber traditional tobacco, and Virginia tobacco.

Addiction

One of the most common injuries associated with JUUL e-cigarettes is nicotine addiction by new users, including minors and young adults. When a JUUL user inhales, they imbibe a high concentration of nicotine. JUUL pods deliver more nicotine than other e-cigarettes on the market. Each time a teen or adult takes a breath of a JUUL, they are receiving a high dose of nicotine, which their body gradually becomes dependent on.

Because of the company’s use of nicotine salts instead of free-base nicotine like other products, JUUL is described as being less harsh and easier to smoke. This is particularly concerning in regard to minors and new smokers. The ease at which teenagers and new users can smoke a JUUL makes it more likely they will continue to inhale high amounts of nicotine and become addicted.

Other Physical Injuries

Addiction is by far not the only injury associated with consistent and occasional use of JUUL by minors and adults. At Kisling, Nestico, & Redick, we have handled cases involving:

Nicotine Poisoning

It is possible to have too much nicotine in your body. The amount at which you would suffer from nicotine poisoning depends on how much you weigh and how the nicotine entered your system. Occurrences of nicotine poisoning have been on the rise since e-cigarettes become popular, especially accidental poisonings among children. The most common reason for nicotine poisoning is because someone ingests the high-nicotine liquid in e-cigarette cartridges.

Lung & Respiratory Illnesses

A common injury arising because of JUUL and other e-cigarettes is respiratory conditions. Researchers recently found vape liquids have irritating compounds, acetals, in them. Inhaling these compounds regularly can irritate and potentially damage a person’s lungs. Many JUUL users believe their cartridges contain nicotine, water, and some flavoring, but the truth is that these liquids contain many compounds and potentially harmful chemicals.

Strokes

Recently, a young man suffered a massive stroke that left him with permanent disabilities. He became addicted to JUUL as a teenager to the point of going through two JUUL pods a day for an extended period of time. Smoking has long been known to increase the risk of a stroke, and recent studies have shown vaping may do the same. According to the American Stroke Association, e-cigarette users, compared to non-users, had a 71% higher risk of stroke.

Seizures

Given the number of reports of seizures linked to e-cigarette use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun an investigation into the issue. The FDA has received 35 reports of seizures, most of which involve teens and young adults.

Heart Problems & Heart Attacks

Researchers have found that e-cigarette users had a 59% higher risk of heart attack and angina, and a 40% higher risk of heart disease, compared to non-users. While there are many other factors involved in developing heart disease and suffering a heart attack, the figures are concerning and demonstrate that JUUL and other vaping products may not be as safe as they claim or a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes.

Mental Health Conditions

There is serious concern about teens’ mental health while using JUUL. Nicotine and the other chemicals in JUUL pods can harm a developing brain and impact a teen and young adult’s learning, mood, impulse control, and attention, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Suicide

One of the most concerning reports related to JUUL and e-cigarettes is the use of the nicotine liquid to commit suicide. Ingestion of one or several cartridges of nicotine liquid can lead to an overdose and cardiac arrest.

Have You or Your Child Been Harmed by JUUL?

If you or a loved one has been a regular user of JUUL products for several years and have suffered a physical injury or negative health condition because of it, contact our experienced defective product lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick today.

You can reach us through our online form or call 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule your free, initial consultation.