John,
My job is to protect Minnesotans from deceptive, fraudulent, and unlawful practices.
Promoting the health and wellbeing of our communities is the most essential duty of my office. It’s especially important to me that we protect our children from harm.
That’s why I brought a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL this week. JUUL’s business model is centered around deceiving young people and getting them addicted to harmful tobacco products, and unfortunately, it’s working. Over the past 30 days in Minnesota:
• 11% of 8th graders reported vaping
• 16% of 9th graders reported vaping
• 26% of 11th graders reported vaping
75% of Minnesota youth who use e-cigarettes say they had never smoked a cigarette before they started. It’s time to stand up to JUUL, like we did with the Big Tobacco industry 20 years ago. If you agree, I’m asking for your help today:
JUUL is using a highly-effective, youth-oriented marketing campaign that is straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. We cannot sit on the sidelines while JUUL gets a new generation hooked.
Minnesota led the nation in taking on Big Tobacco, and now we must lead the country again in combating the vaping epidemic -- before it’s too late. I’m asking you to stand with us against JUUL and the vaping industry.
Thank you,
Keith Ellison
