Juul is a brand of electronic cigarette specifically designed as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. It is characterized by its sleek, compact design, often resembling a USB flash drive.
What Is a Juul?
A Juul device is a closed-system pod vape. This means it uses pre-filled, disposable pods containing e-liquid, which are inserted into the device. Users simply inhale through the mouthpiece to activate the battery-powered heating element and produce vapor.
How It Works
- Pods: Juul pods contain a proprietary e-liquid formula comprising nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, benzoic acid, and flavorings.
- Nicotine Salts: Juul uses nicotine salts (formed by reacting nicotine with benzoic acid) instead of “freebase” nicotine common in older e-cigarettes. This allows for high nicotine concentrations (typically 5% or 59 mg per mL in standard pods) while delivering a smoother throat sensation, making it easier to inhale deeply.
- Activation: Juul is draw-activated; there are no buttons. Inhaling activates the battery, which heats the liquid in the pod, creating an aerosol (vapor).
Key Facts
- Popularity: Juul gained immense popularity quickly, particularly among young adults and teenagers, due to its discreet design, ease of use, and high nicotine content providing a strong “hit”.
- Flavors: Initially offered flavors like mint, mango, fruit, and cucumber. Following regulatory pressure and youth usage concerns, Juul currently markets primarily tobacco and menthol-flavored pods in the US market.
- Controversy: Juul faced significant scrutiny and legal challenges related to its marketing, high nicotine content, and its role in the rise of youth vaping addiction, culminating in government investigations and restrictions.
- Regulatory Status: As of June 2022, the FDA issued Marketing Denial Orders for Juul’s flavored pods; however, their tobacco and menthol flavored pods remain on the market pending further review under the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) process.
Juul delivers high doses of nicotine using a proprietary salt formulation in pre-filled pods, packaged in a discreet, easily concealable device.
