The allegation comes in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by lawyers representing Siddharth Breja, a former finance executive at the e-cigarette giant. The suit claims that Breja was terminated after opposing company practices such as shipping contaminated flavored pods and not listing expiration dates on Juul products.
Breja worked in Juul’s global finance department less than 10 months. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, seeks damages for lost salary, bonuses and Juul stock, which it values at more than $10 million.Breja describes a “reckless” and ”win-at-all costs” culture at Juul, primarily driven by the company’s former chief executive, Kevin Burns,Breja says he learned in March that some batches of nicotine solution used in the company’s mint-flavored pods had been contaminated.
The lawsuit alleges that Burns “berated employees” to ramp up production of mint-flavored pods, a move that ”compromised quality control measures.” The focus on mint came after the company, under pressure from health authorities,The lawsuit alleges that Juul’s outside consultants assured the company that mint, “given its fruity flavor, would make up for any lack of sales of other flavored pods.”
In an earlier conflict with Juul management, Breja says, he urged executives to add expiration or ”best by” dates to the flavored pods.The lawsuit claims Burns rejected the idea, stating: “Half our customers are drunk and vaping like mo-fo’s, who … is going to notice the quality of our pods.”Last month Burns was replaced by K.C. Crosthwaite, a former executive for Altria Group Inc., the Marlboro cigarette maker that owns a 35% stake in privately held Juul.
In a separate health issue, federal officials are investigating more than 1,600 cases of lung damage linked to vaping, including nearly three dozen deaths. Many patients said they vaped THC, marijuana’s intoxicating chemical, but officials have not yet implicated any single product or ingredient.
Millions of people have died from tobacco. Where is the policy reform on that? Why are we banning a product that has only been lethal in the US (contaminated product?)? If vaping isn’t available, people will choose the worse of two evils. Backwards progress.
How many die every hour from tobacco use, and how much publicity do you give that issue?
Ban these products! At least stop allowing advertising of the product.
Juul = 👿
They also did “low-grade” trade shows at gas stations all over California trying to sell those over regular cigarettes. Coupons, Bogos and etc
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