Juul Honcho Is Out as Ads Halt

Company says it won't lobby against proposed ban on some e-cigarettes
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 25, 2019 9:50 AM CDT
Juul Honcho Is Out as Ads Halt
In this Dec. 20, 2018, file photo Juul products are displayed in New York.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

E-cigarette maker Juul has a new face at the helm with the vaping industry falling under greater scrutiny. The company announced Wednesday that CEO Kevin Burns will be replaced by KC Crosthwaite, who currently serves as senior vice president for chief strategy and growth at tobacco giant Altria, reports the Washington Post. There, Crosthwaite oversaw the FDA review of Altria's IQOS tobacco heating units. Per CNBC, "all e-cigarette makers will need to subject their devices to the same FDA review process next spring."

The FDA is already investigating Juul's marketing and business practices. But the e-cigarette maker is also up against the Trump administration's proposed ban on most flavored e-cigarettes, given what some are calling a teen vaping "epidemic." Though Juul's flavors, including mint and menthol, represent 80% of its sales, the company says it will not lobby against the proposed ban, per the Wall Street Journal. Juul, which previously closed its social media accounts, says it's also suspending all print, broadcast, and digital ads in the US. (More vaping stories.)

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