Cancer society applauds certification of class-action against e-cigarette maker Juul

The B.C. Supreme Court has certified a national class-action lawsuit against Juul Labs Canada, Ltd., Juul Labs Inc., and Altria Group Inc. This legal milestone allows the 2019 lawsuit to proceed, alleging that the companies used misleading marketing to falsely present e-cigarettes as safe alternatives to smoking while conspiring to addict young people to nicotine.

The Canadian Cancer Society has welcomed the decision, noting that it is the first national class-action lawsuit ever certified against a tobacco or vaping company in Canada. Rob Cunningham, a policy analyst with the society, suggested that the delay in certification was part of a long-standing industry strategy to avoid accountability. He emphasized that class certification is crucial because it allows the case to be tested on its merits collectively rather than through individual, unaffordable lawsuits.

As youth vaping rates continue to rise, the Canadian Cancer Society is calling for stronger government regulations, including taxation, marketing restrictions, flavor bans, and raising the minimum legal age to 21. The certification brings the companies closer to a trial regarding their impact on public health and the associated costs to the healthcare system.

(Source：SooToday)