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CEO Of Juul Tells People Not To Use Juul Vaping Products

CEO Of Juul Tells People Not To Use Juul Vaping Products

It's a bold marketing strategy, let's see if it pays off...

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

The CEO of Juul - arguably the world's largest vaping brand - has issued a stark warning against non-smokers using his own products.

Juul Labs CEO Kevin Burns went as far as to say: "Don't vape. Don't use Juul."

Burns was talking during an interview with Tony Dokoupil on CBS This Morning at the time and explained that his comments were aimed at those who are considering starting vaping without having an existing relationship with nicotine.

Burns said: "Don't start using nicotine if you don't have a preexisting relationship with nicotine.

"Don't use the product. You're not our target consumer."

He also added that the long term effects of vaping are unknown.

PA

When asked how he could allow himself to continue selling vaping products without having any knowledge of how they'd affect people along the line, he continued: "We think we have a product that is legal today, is tested for toxicity, and does not present, you know, a risk based on the guidelines of the category today to the American public."

He also responded to questions about whether Juul products are toxic or not, adding: "We do toxicology testing on all of our products."

Well, you'd hope so, wouldn't you?

Burns has previously apologised to the parents of children who have become addicted to vaping. In fact, the company has announced on Wednesday that it plans to offer incentives for any retailers who install a brand new electronic age verification system at their point of sale.

PA

The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed severe concerns over children vaping, calling teen vaping 'an epidemic'.

It's has also been critical of Juul for marketing products on platforms popular amongst young people such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Juul has come in for particular criticism because of the sweet dessert-like flavours that it offers, which have proven particularly popular amongst kids.

The scrutiny surrounding vaping amongst younger people has prompted some retailers, including Rite Aid and Walmart, to get rid of Juul products from stores altogether.

PA

Rite Aid outright ceased to sell Juul products in any capacity, whereas Walmart has pulled all of the dessert flavoured vaping products off the shelves.

Juul is owned in part by Altria, the gigantic tobacco company that also controls the Marlboro brand.

The company markets itself as a 'satisfying alternative to cigarettes' and Burns' comments suggest that the product should be used as a method of quitting or switching for smokers, rather than something that should be taken up apropos of nothing.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Science, US News, Technology, Weird, Health