On September 18, 2019, several members of Paynter Law attended HarrisMartin’s JUUL, E-cigarettes, & Vaping Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Stuart Paynter, owner of Paynter Law, also presented at the conference.
This conference was particularly timely given the recent increase in diagnosed vaping-related lung illnesses across the U.S. To date, hundreds of people have been diagnosed with pneumonia and other serious lung illnesses such as “popcorn lung” believed to be related to vaping. Several people have already died.
Presenters at the vaping conference covered a variety of topics. The conference started with an overview of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as JUUL devices and other e-cigarettes. Other presenters provided information regarding JUUL’s organizational structure, ownership, and finances. E-cigarette marketing tactics was a large focus, too. Additionally, there was a comparison and analysis of traditional cigarettes vs. e-cigarettes including nicotine levels, the content and chemicals in each, and addiction. Current local, state, and federal ENDS regulations were reviewed, and the cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of vaping were discussed.
North Carolina’s Deputy Attorney General, Kevin Anderson, presented an update on the state of the NC AG’s suit against JUUL. Stuart Paynter was part of the last presentation of the day. His presentation focused on a broader range of topics. He touched on vaping lung injuries, but he also discussed burn and explosion injuries that can occur when the lithium-ion batteries that power many vaping devices explode or catch on fire. Stuart also discussed practical and legal considerations when litigating vape lung injury cases and exploding lithium-ion battery cases.
If you or someone you know vapes, please take a moment and contact us for more information on the risks of vaping, how vaping is different from traditional cigarettes, and how vape batteries can sometimes explode. We will be happy to talk with you, and we provide a free consultation. The information you learn may save your life or the life of someone close to you, so don’t wait.