HOUSTON – After first saying no, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has now green-lighted Harris County’s litigation against JUUL.
Back in October, Harris County sent a contingent fee contract to the OAG for approval, seeking to pursue claims against the manufactures, distributors and marketers of vaping and e-cigarette products.
“Vaping products are marketed to Harris County’s youth and lead to significant increases in adverse health effects related to vaping and nicotine addiction,” the request stated.
The OAG refused to approve the contract on Dec. 14, records show.
Last Thursday, however, Harris County became the first governmental entity in Texas to sue JUUL, filing suit against the e-cigarette company and several of its executives in California state court.
“JUUL took its marketing plan from the tobacco industry’s template by creating an image that would lure teenagers,” said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee in a press release. “JUUL’s vaping devices are designed to appear like a slick, high-tech gadget that’s attractive to young people. The brand even offers kid-friendly flavors like mango and cool mint.”
The Record reached out to the county to ascertain if the OAG had reversed its position and was provided with a letter dated March 11 stating that the “OAG withdraws its prior denial.”
“The OAG takes no position as to the proposed choice of counsel or the merits of any lawsuit that Harris County may bring under the proposed contingent-fee contract,” the letter states.
More than a year ago now, Paxton announced his office was leading a bipartisan, 39-state investigation into JUUL, stating that he was “committed to holding companies accountable for the quality, effects, and marketing of their products.”
The law firms representing Harris County are Richard Schechter, P.C., Reich & Binstock LLP, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry, PC, and Law Office of J. Michael Solar, PLLC.