Osceola County, Florida, receives $400,000 from JUUL’s statewide $79 million settlement to be used for youth vape prevention and nicotine addiction control, including school education and installation of detectors. Advocates support the move, emphasizing the need for more education about the harms.
Core Watch:
- Osceola County receives $400,000 in JUUL settlement funds for youth vape prevention and other programs.
- Funds will be used for school education, cessation support, and installation of vape detectors.
- Vape use among local high school students is 6.7%, lower than the statewide rate.
- Advocates share cases of loved ones passing away from deteriorating health due to vapes and call for increased investment in harm reduction and treatment.
GA Receives $400,000 JUUL Settlement
Osceola County, Florida, will receive a $400,000 JUUL settlement stemming from a $79 million statewide settlement with JUUL Labs, Inc. that was reached to resolve past lawsuits surrounding the company’s marketing of its flavored vape products. Spectrum News reported on July 9th.
Osceola County Commissioners said they will use the funds to prevent vape smoking and nicotine addiction among youth, and this week, they approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Health to use the funds for various prevention strategies throughout the county.
Reconciliation gold for youth e-cigarette prevention
A county spokesman said:
- “The bill voted on July 7 allows the Department of Health to create a vape prevention program locally in Osceola and allows for reimbursement of up to a maximum amount to a certified program administrator. The Health Department will develop its program components and implement the program; the County will pass these funds on to the Health Department as the recipient.”
The county agenda reports that this will include “school education, cessation support, community outreach, and installation of vape detectors in schools.”
Vape use among local high school students is 6.7%
The Florida Department of Health’s Youth Tobacco Survey shows that by 2024, 6.7% of high school students in Osceola County will have used a vape product, compared to 10.4% statewide.
Those in Central Florida who have a strong connection to fighting nicotine and vape addiction call this a huge milestone.
Advocates share cases of loved ones passing
Representatives from the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County declined to comment on the matter. Saying they have not yet received any official notification of the immediate change.
To date, Osceola County has received $294,454.40 of its share of the settlement agreement.
