Juul Labs will pay West Virginia $7.9 million to settle a lawsuit over the e-cigarette company’s marketing tactics targeting teens, the state’s Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced on Monday. CBS News said the smoking company violated the state’s Consumer Credit and Protection Act and was using social media and popular influencers to unfairly target teens in its marketing.

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced Monday that his office reached a $7.9 million settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer Juul over alleged deceptive marketing and advertising tactics aimed at teenagers. The lawsuit against Juul Labs Inc. was first filed in October in Putnam County Circuit Court, accusing the company of violations of the state Consumer Credit and Protection Act. “This settlement puts companies like Juul in check to not copy Big Tobacco’s playbook and gear marketing strategies toward underage people,” Morrisey said Monday.

West Virginia has settled a lawsuit with e-cigarette maker Juul Labs for a total of $7.9 million, the state’s attorney general announced Monday. The company was accused of unfair, deceptive acts or practices in the advertising and marketing of Juul products in the state, specifically targeting teenagers. The lawsuit claimed Juul targeted these underage users through social media, influencer marketing and fashion bloggers and celebrities popular with teenagers.

Vaping company Juul Labs will pay West Virginia $7.9 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the company marketed products to underage users, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced Monday. The lawsuit accuses Juul of engaging in unfair or deceptive practices in the design, manufacturing, marketing and sale of e-cigarettes in violation of the state's Consumer Credit and Protection Act. A 2020 report released by West Virginia health officials found that more than 60% of high school students in the state reported trying e-cigarettes in 2019, up from 44% in 2017. "This...

FILE - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey speaks during a press conference at the state Capitol in Charleston, W.Va., Feb. 16, 2022. On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Morrisey announced that he will run for governor in 2024. (AP Photo/Leah M. Willingham, File) FILE - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey speaks during a press conference at the state Capitol in Charleston, W.Va., Feb. 16, 2022. On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Morrisey announced that he will run for governor in 2024. (AP Photo/Leah M. Willingham, File) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) —...