Blaine school board supports expansive anti-vaping lawsuit

The Blaine school board formally supported superintendent Christopher Granger’s work with Spokane-based law firm Stevens Clay, P.S. in having the Blaine school district join a pending lawsuit against vaping company Juul Labs, Inc. and its biggest investor Altria Group, Inc. The action item was passed unanimously.
“[There’s] definitely an uptick in vaping in school-aged children,” Granger said during the board’s regular meeting March 28.
He continued that the district’s support for the lawsuit was important as a way to encourage healthy choices and educate students about what is being advertised for their consumption.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the companies accountable for present and future costs school districts will incur for the prevention, intervention and education of nicotine use and addiction from such products. Last summer, North Carolina attorney general Josh Stein agreed to a $40 million settlement with Juul in a similar suit.
Granger said school districts have until the end of April to join in support of the lawsuit and that most Whatcom County districts looked in favor of supporting it. Support would come at no cost to the district other than two to five hours of Granger’s time, which he said he would gladly contribute.