Baltimore City has secured a significant multi-million-dollar settlement with JUUL Labs, Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of e-cigarettes. The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, charged JUUL with marketing practices that endangered the health of Baltimore’s residents, particularly minors, leading to substantial financial burdens on the City.
As part of the agreement, JUUL can either make a one-time payment of $7.5 million by the end of 2024 or opt for a staggered payment plan totaling $8 million. The latter includes payments of $3 million in December 2024, $2 million in October 2025, and a final $3 million in October 2026.
“Since taking office, my administration has done everything in our power to invest in Baltimore’s young people to ensure they can reach their full potential,” said Mayor Brandon Scott. “Achieving that aim means focusing on every aspect of their lives – including their health. When there is such a clear case of a company wrongfully targeting them to increase their bottom line, we have a responsibility to take action, and that’s what we did with this lawsuit.”
The settlement follows Baltimore City’s decision to reject a global resolution that would have only provided $1.9 million. City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson underscored the importance of securing fair compensation: “We will continue to reject settlements that do not adequately address the harm inflicted on Baltimore City by these companies.”
