Health Care

New York AG announces CNY funding from settlement with JUUL over youth vaping

Surrounded by local and state and school officials, New York Attorney General Letitia James holds the ceremonial check for $4.7 million, which involves funding from the settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. over its role in youth vaping and the rise in underage e-cigarette use nationwide. James announced the Central New York award amount during a June 18 visit to Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School. ERIC REINHARDT / CNYBJ

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SYRACUSE — Counties in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, and Southern Tier, along with BOCES in each region, are getting millions from the state’s settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. for its role in the youth vaping “epidemic.” Central New York is getting $4.7 million; the Mohawk Valley, $3.4 million; the North Country, more than $3 million; and the Southern Tier, $4.5 million. The regional money is part of the $462 million multistate settlement with JUUL, New York State Attorney General Letitia James said in announcing the awards. James announced the Central New York dollar amount during a June 18 visit to Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School in Syracuse. The youth vaping led to a “dangerous rise” in underage e-cigarette use nationwide, according to James. Altogether, New York was awarded a total of $112.7 million through the settlement, which the attorney general is distributing to every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs that will help reduce and prevent underage vaping. “Like the big tech companies that have fueled a mental health crisis among young people with their addictive products, JUUL marketed its dangerous and addictive vapes to children, putting millions at risk,” James contended in a news release. “Across our state, e-cigarette use among kids spiked after JUUL hit the market. I’m proud that my office ensured JUUL paid for the damage they did to young people. The funds we secured will help schools and communities in Central New York fight back against the youth vaping epidemic. I thank all of my partners in government for their partnership in this effort to protect our children.” James sued JUUL in November 2019 for what she said was its “deceptive and misleading marketing that glamorized vaping and targeted young people.”