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#1: In spring 2018, Cook County students were among those who led the charge nationwide in holding vaping companies accountable for health damage due to vaping, and are shown here lining up in St. Paul for the march to the State Capitol to testify on the dangers of vaping. St. Paul Cathedral is in the background. Students are from left, front: Brynn Fitzgerald-Wells, Grace Blomberg, Grace Aiden Ritchey, Olivia Nesgoda.
A Shout Out in 3 pictures on how local youth helped Minnesota win $60.5 million in teen vaping lawsuit settlement
In March 2018, about 20 Cook County students and chaperones appeared before the Minnesota State Legislature to inform lawmakers of the negative impacts smoking and vaping have on teens. (Read more here: www.borealcorps.org.) The action helped the state frame a winning case against e-cigarette vaping maker Juul, claiming its marketing targeted youth.
As a result, the state announced on May 20, 2023, that Juul must pay Minnesota $60.5 million. Most of the settlement goes toward smoking and vaping education and prevention programs, subject to legislative action. Shout outs to youth, mentors and health outreach organizer of this project, Cook County’s Hartley Newell- Ascero, collaborating with the American Lung Association of Duluth. Thank you!
#3: In March 2018, Cook County youth testified at the Minnesota Capitol on the dangers of vaping and its marketing approaches. Photos submitted by Ann Brataas
#2: Andrew and Ella Hallberg of Grand Marais represented Cook County youth in 2019 after the Cook County group won a national poster competition exposing the dangers to youth of marketing vaping as a candy-like substance. Cook County kids were invited to present at a scientific conference in Minneapolis on the health effects of smoking tobacco and vaping, and their marketing approaches. They were the youngest presenters, and the only non-college students in the student poster presentations.
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