Thread by @VirginiaBridges

THREAD// How @JUULvapor ended up settling with @NCAGO in #DurhamNC, the cradle of the U.S. tobacco industry.

Let's start with the setting.

newsobserver.com/news/local/art…

From the start of pretrial hearings, Juul attorneys' arguments that products are a health benefit & its messaging targeted adults weren't successful. (State argued they don't have to prove intent just more youth used product.)

newsobserver.com/news/business/…

Here's a video of a Juul attorney taking in a judge's order that gutted the e-cigarette co.'s defense, said it violated the NC Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act thousands of times. 

"Is that really what happened?," says shocked Juul attorney.

At a 2cnd hearing, Juul attorneys argued the judge's oral order and sanctions likely settled the case, but they wouldn't know until they saw the written order.

newsobserver.com/news/business/…

Sidenote: Up until Monday, I was the only reporter in the courtroom on NC v Juul.
Shout out to @newsobserver and @TheHerald_Sun for investing resources in this story. #readlocal

On Monday the Attorney General's Office in North Carolina, the first state to file a lawsuit against Juul, announced a historic settlement.

newsobserver.com/news/politics-…

Watch the moment that the @NCAGO announced settlement in court. Video by @juliawall_ .
newsobserver.com/news/local/art…

Watch NC Attorney General @JoshStein_ discuss $40 million Juul settlement. Video by @juliawall_ .

newsobserver.com/news/local/art…

.@JoshStein_ also sent Monday a letter to the FDA, pushing it to take comprehensive actions on e-cigarette companies.

newsobserver.com/news/politics-…

If you want the cliff notes version of #NorthCarolina v Juul, here's a quick Q&A from me and @joshshaffer08.

newsobserver.com/news/politics-…