Aug 27, 2019 - Health

Fake Juul pods are being sold in stores

Caitlin Owens

man using a juul — Photo: Eva Hambach/AFP/Getty Images

Counterfeit Juul pods are lining the shelves of retail stores following the company's decision last fall to stop selling fruity flavors in stores, CNBC reports.

Why it matters: These fake Juul pods — which look real — may present health concerns. They are also a public relations problem for Juul, which is trying to appear cooperative with the effort to crack down on teen vaping.

The pods are in addition to rival pods being sold by Juul's competitors.
The counterfeit pods are often the fruity flavors that Juul has pulled.

What they're saying: Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb told CNBC that the recent cases of lung illnesses associated with vaping are probably linked to counterfeit products.

"Counterfeit products are a direct threat to public health and our plan to combat youth usage," Juul CEO Kevin Burns said in a statement to CNBC.

Go deeper: U.S. investigates fatality from vaping as lung-related illnesses rise

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Fake Juul pods are being sold in stores

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