Colorado Plans $11.7 Million from Juul for Vaping Education

Attorney General Announces Distribution of Funds to Combat Youth Vaping Crisis

On Tuesday, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced the distribution of over $17 million from the nearly $32 million Juul lawsuit settlement to 42 organizations focused on combating the youth vaping epidemic in the state. The funds will be allocated to programs centered around education, prevention, and treatment of youth vaping, potentially including mental and behavioral health services.

The Colorado Department of Law’s Combating Youth Vaping in Colorado Grant awarded $6 million to the following 12 nonprofit organizations and government entities:

21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Diversion Lighthouse Program: $224,010 for a vaping education program for youth in Mesa County, with a focus on rural communities
Boys & Girls Clubs in Colorado, Inc.: $855,979 for community engagement and youth substance use prevention and peer-led programs at 50 clubs across Colorado
Broomfield Public Health and Environment: $202,184 for nicotine replacement therapy and peer support programs to help young people quit vaping, with a focus on LGBTQ+ youth
Denver Department of Public Health and Environment: $541,158 for nicotine replacement therapy, community engagement, and trauma-informed counseling for youth
Mountain Youth: $500,000 for vaping prevention education, media campaigns, cessation programs, and youth-led initiatives in the Eagle River Valley
Jefferson County Public Health: $400,000 for vaping education and cessation services for youth
Partners of Delta, Montrose & Ouray: $297,161 for mentors who will support middle and high school students with behavioral issues through school-based programs
Partners for Youth: $335,487 for an initiative to connect youth in Routt County with trusted adults and engage them in positive activities to prevent substance use
Rocky Mountain Center for Health, Promotion and Education: $800,000 for a program that will train adults to build strong connections with youth in school, family, and community settings
Servicios de La Raza: $950,000 to deploy a bilingual vaping-cessation program for Latino youth
University of Colorado/Colorado School of Public Health UpRISE: $544,018 to expand a youth-led social justice movement for tobacco control
Youth Healthcare Alliance: $350,000 for a program in which school-based health centers will participate in an alternative-to-discipline initiative for youth who are caught vaping

An additional $11.4 million will be distributed over the next three years to the following 30 education providers for vaping education and prevention programs starting in fall 2024:

Alamosa School District: $244,968
Atlas Preparatory School in Colorado Springs: $85,000
Aurora Public Schools: $140,267
AXL Academy in Aurora: $238,000
Bennett School District: $218,547
Center School District: $198,098
Chavez-Huerta Preparatory Academy in Pueblo: $46,940
Colorado Military Academy in Colorado Springs: $117,471
Dolores County School District: $45,681
Downtown Denver Expeditionary School in Denver: $78,000
DSST Public Schools in Denver and Aurora: $114,000
Eagle County School District: $213,353
Elizabeth School District: $130,217
Fountain-Fort Carson School District: $131,009
Gunnison Watershed School District: $74,534
Harrison School District: $253,405
Lake County School District: $87,543
Mancos School District: $54,300
Mapleton Public Schools: $36,681
Montrose County School District: $100,000
New Legacy Charter School in Aurora: $71,624
North Park School District: $187,545
Pueblo County School District 70: $127,657
San Luis Valley BOCES: $273,870
School District 49: $126,961
Sierra Grande School District: $100,985
Southern Peaks Regional Treatment Center in Cañon City: $36,181
Steamboat Springs School District: $125,635
Strasburg School District: $91,500
Summit School District: $50,000

Colorado’s Lawsuit Against Juul Labs Inc.

In 2020, Colorado sued Juul Labs Inc. for targeting youth with deceptive marketing tactics and downplaying the health risks associated with vaping. The state was the nation’s leader in teen vaping per capita at the time the lawsuit was filed. Although Juul settled the lawsuit for $31.7 million, the company did not admit to any wrongdoing.

Read more: Minnesota Reveals $60.5 Million Settlement with Juul

Comprehensive Approach to Address Youth Vaping

The grants are part of a multifaceted approach by the Attorney General’s office to address the immediate and long-term health implications of youth vaping. In addition to the smaller grants, a $20 million initiative was announced last month to promote youth mental health and wellness through school-community partnerships statewide.

By investing in these diverse organizations and initiatives across the state, Colorado aims to protect its youth from the dangers of vaping, educate them about the risks, implement targeted prevention measures, and provide essential treatment and support for those affected. The goal is to create a healthier future for children and prevent them from turning to vaping in the first place.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.