Juul to pay $40m in US lawsuit over teen targeting claims

E-cigarette maker Juul has SLOTXO agreed to settle a lawsuit with a US state that accused the firm of marketing its products to young people.

Juul will pay $40m (£29m) to North Carolina over six years and will change its advertising in the region.

The vape pen manufacturer did not, however, admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

A Juul spokesman said: "This settlement is consistent with our ongoing effort to reset our company.

"We continue to combat underage usage and advance the opportunity for harm reduction for adult smokers."

Juul also pointed out that it had stopped distributing its non-menthol, non-tobacco, flavoured products and paused all "mass-market" product advertising over the last two years.

Its efforts included shutting down Instagram and Facebook pages promoting its vape products, the firm said.

The settlement, announced on Monday by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, is the first to be reached by the company with a state government.

Attorney General Stein told a press conference: "North Carolina is now the first state in the nation to hold Juul accountable for its instrumental role in creating a youth vaping epidemic.

"They did it to teenagers across North Carolina and this country simply to make money."