Lawsuit: N.J. dad who bought JUUL products for son blames company for teen's nicotine addiction

As the recent surge in underage vaping continues, a New Jersey father and his son are fighting back with a class-action lawsuit against JUUL.

The father and son, from Voorhees, are blaming the popular e-cigarette company for the nicotine addictions of thousands of teens in New Jersey.

The father says he started buying his son JUUL products two years ago, when he was 14-years-old. The lawsuit claims the teen, like many others in his grade, became addicted and eventually began coughing and vomiting on a daily basis.

According to the lawsuit, the father claims he did not know the products contained nicotine, for which he blamed the companies false advertising that he says targets teens.

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The lawsuit comes as health authorities investigate hundreds of breathing illnesses reported in people who have used e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. At least six people have died from what officials believe are vaping-related illnesses.

Wednesday, President Trump said he would propose banning thousands of flavors used in e-cigarettes in response to the recent illnesses.

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Juul and other vaping companies argue that their products are intended to help adult smokers wean themselves off traditional paper-and-tobacco cigarettes. But there is little evidence that e-cigarettes are effective for helping smokers quit.

Federal law prohibits e-cigarette and all other tobacco sales to those under 18. But last year, 1 in 5 high school students reported vaping in the past month, according to government survey figures.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.