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Minnesota Suit Against E-Cigarette Maker Juul Goes To Trial

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(MINNEAPOLIS) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is set to make the opening statement in his state’s lawsuit against Juul Labs on Tuesday, marking the first time any of the thousands of cases against the e-cigarette maker over its alleged marketing to minors will be heard in a courtroom.

In 2019, Minnesota filed a lawsuit against Juul, claiming the San Francisco-based firm illegally targeted young people with its products to make a new generation addicted to nicotine. Ellison has refused to specify how much money the state seeks in damages and civil penalties. However, upon announcing the action, he said it might be in the ballpark of Minnesota’s historic $7.1 billion settlement with the cigarette industry in 1998.

Juul has faced thousands of lawsuits nationwide, but most have settled, including 39 with other states and U.S. territories. In 2020, Minnesota added tobacco industry behemoth Altria, which previously owned a minority stake in Juul, as a co-defendant. Altria completed its divestment earlier this month and claimed to have lost its $12.8 billion investment. Altria announced a $2.75 billion investment in rival electronic cigarette firm NJOY a few days later.

“We will demonstrate how Juul and Altria misled and hooked a generation of Minnesota youth on their products, causing both great harms to the public and great expense to the State to remedy that harm,” Ellison said.

The jury trial will run three weeks before Hennepin County District Judge Laurie Miller. The landmark 1998 lawsuit by the state and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota against the big cigarette companies took roughly four months.

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Juul has faced thousands of lawsuits nationwide, but most have settled in Minnesota

This lawsuit resulted in the release of millions of pages of previously secret industry papers and a $7.1 billion settlement soon before the state’s closing statements. Part of the money was used to fund anti-smoking programs, but Juul and Altria pointed out in court filings that lawmakers chose to spend most of the money on state government.

Ellison wants to deliver part of the state’s opening statement personally before passing it off to attorneys from two outside law firms handling the case for Minnesota. Consumer fraud, public nuisance, unjust enrichment, and conspiracy are all alleged in the case. A brief submitted last week provides a taste of the state’s claims.

“Defendant JUUL, in a conspiracy with Altria, preyed on and enticed Minnesota’s children to buy a product that may sentence them to a lifetime of nicotine addiction and other destructive behaviors,” state attorneys stated. “the company launched a design and marketing campaign aimed at enticing children, focusing on attracting ‘cool kids,’ creating a nicotine’ buzz,’ and utilizing social media and celebrities as ‘pushers’ of its addictive products.” Defendants allege their actions were in the name of assisting “aging smokers” to quit smoking. That claim is false; it is a ruse.”

According to Juul, Minnesota rejected settlement offers identical to those it received from other states, which gave “hundreds of millions of dollars to further combat underage use and develop cessation programs in those states.”

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Effective interventions to address underage use of all tobacco products in Minnesota

“Effective interventions to address underage use of all tobacco products in Minnesota, including vapor, rely on evidence-based policies, programs, and enforcement, not headline-driven trials,” the statement said. “This is the approach Juul Labs supports and has helped to implement.”

The creator of Marlboro cigarettes and other tobacco products, Altria Group, formerly Phillip Morris Cos., is downplaying its role. In a court filing last week, it stated that it purchased a 35% investment in Juul Labs in 2018 after its own vaping devices failed to find popularity, and only after Juul informed Altria “and announced to the world” that it had made “meaningful changes” to its marketing methods.

sAltria, based in Richmond, Virginia, said the services it offered to Juul lasted slightly over a year and ended in March 2020, including offering key counter space in retailers, mailing a Juul ad, and offering discounts to adult smokers. And it contends that its sponsorship did not materially raise sales of Juul products in Minnesota nor the use of e-cigarettes by minors in the state.

Juul, which debuted in 2015, quickly gained the market leader in the United States due to the appeal of flavors such as mango, mint, and creme brulee. Its popularity was boosted among teens, some of whom became addicted to Juul’s high-nicotine pods. In response to the backlash, Juul discontinued all U.S. advertising and its flavors in 2019. Juul’s appeal with teenagers has now declined, and its share of the multibillion-dollar market has decreased to around 33% from a high of 75%.

In June, the Food and Drug Administration rejected Juul’s proposal to keep its products on the market as a smoking substitute for adults, though that decision is under appeal. In September, Juul agreed to pay roughly $440 million to settle a two-year probe by 33 states into its marketing of high-nicotine products.

States still suing Juul include New York, California, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Alaska, Illinois, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

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SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics.

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Flu Cases Start To Increase As Americans Get Ready For The Holidays

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HealthDay

(VOR News) – In a report that was released on Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) verified that the flu season is presently in full swing, with the number of cases of the virus increasing across the United States. This information was included in the study. The research was published in the United States of America.

Infectious diseases expert Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University has indicated that thirteen states, including Tennessee and Louisiana, have reported high or extremely high levels of illness that is similar to the flu.

The flu virus has hit Tennessee and Louisiana.

When compared to the amount that was reported the previous week, this statistic is more than twice as large as the one that came before it.

There has been a consistent increase in the number of flu-related visits to emergency rooms and lab test confirmations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has recorded consistently climbing numbers. The fact that this has occurred implies that the beginning of what might be a difficult winter for respiratory infections has arrived.

Immediately following that, Dr. Schaffner went on to make the following observation: “The flu has been on the rise, but it has reached an all-time high in the entire past week.” The virus has been increasing in prevalence.

During the same time period, Louisiana is witnessing a rise that is comparable to the one that occurred previously.

According to Dr. Catherine O’Neal of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, “just this week is really that turning point where people are out because of the flu,” she told AP News. We have a serious influenza outbreak going on right now. At the moment, our region is experiencing a serious influenza outbreak.

The phrases “I can’t come to work because of the flu” and “Where can I get a flu test?” are ones that parents are heard talking about their children. Examples of the kinds of things that parents say include the ones listed here.

This Season’s Low Flu Vaccination Rates Concern Doctors.

As of the seventh of December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that just 41% of adults and children had been vaccinated against the influenza virus. This information was provided by the CDC. In addition, the percentage of youngsters who had received vaccinations had dropped from 44% the year before.

There is a significant disparity between the immunization rates for COVID and those for other viruses, with the former coming in at 21% for adults and the latter coming in at 11% for children who are infected with the bacteria.

Vaccination against influenza is something that medical professionals and other professionals working in the field of public health are actively urging to everyone, particularly in the days leading up to Christmas get-togethers.

The following is a statement that was made by Dr. Schaffner: “All of those gatherings that are so heartwarming and fun and joyful are also an opportunity for this virus to spread from person to person…” Because there is still time to get vaccinated, you should not think twice about getting vaccinated.

In spite of this, the Louisiana Department of Health issued a statement on Friday declaring that it was dropping its recommendation that individuals receive vaccines against the influenza virus and COVID-19. The statement claimed that the recommendation was being withdrawn. This recommendation was mentioned in the press release that was issued.

The most current position that the department has taken is that individuals should consult with their physicians in order to determine whether or not the shots are suitable for them. This was said in a letter that was written by an official.

SOUREC: USN

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Kelly Clarkson Weight Loss Wasn’t Ozempic It Was a High Protein Diet

MAID Now Accounts for 1 in 20 Deaths in Canada

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Kelly Clarkson Weight Loss Wasn’t Ozempic It Was a High Protein Diet

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Kelly Clarkson shares about her weight loss journey

Kelly Clarkson’s remarkable weight loss has been a major topic of conversation for quite some time now, and the 42-year-old singer and talk show presenter has been very open about it with her fans!

The Kelly Clarkson program host had spoken up about her ever-shrinking figure multiple times, including on her talk program, when she admitted to utilizing a weight loss injection (not Ozempic!) to help her owing to being pre-diabetic.

Kelly revealed that she has lost a lot of weight, saying, ‘Mine is a different one than people assume, but I ended up needing to do it also because my blood work was so poor.’ She said that she had not taken Ozempic.

Kelly Clarkson did not name the medicine but described it as “something that aids in the breakdown of the sugar—my body does not do it right.”

She said her doctor ‘chased [her] for, like, two years’ to take the medication, but she was concerned about the consequences on her thyroid. However, she took it after seeing a birthday special she intended to release.

Kelly Clarkson Weight Loss

‘All of a sudden I halted it, and I was like, “Who the f*ck is that?'” she added. “You see it and you’re like, “Well, she’s about to die of a heart attack”,” Kelly said.

Whoopi, for her part, said she shed the weight of ‘nearly two people’ after ‘taking that great shot that works for persons who need some help.’

“It’s great for people like us who have issues,” the View co-host continued. She mentioned earlier that she is using Mounjaro for weight loss.
Her weight loss began following a health concern.

Kelly Clarkson originally hinted at her weight loss on her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, in December 2023. According to US Today, she previously stated that she no longer wore Spanx. “It’s quite cold inside this building. I don’t even have to wear Spanx anymore. “I just wear them for warmth, like thermals,” Kelly explained during a singing game.

However, on January 29, Kelly said on her show that she was doing ‘ something’ about her weight after obtaining a pre-diabetic diagnosis a few years prior.

(According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, pre-diabetes means having blood sugar levels that are ‘greater than usual’ but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.) ‘I wasn’t astonished,’ she explained. ‘I was a little bit overweight.

‘They said, “You’re pre-diabetic.” You’re right on the brink.” And I was like, “But I’m not there yet,” she added. ‘And then I waited two years and said, “Okay, I’ll do something about it.”‘

High Protein Diet

Kelly Clarkson has changed her diet and is focussing on consuming plenty of protein.

‘I eat a healthy mix,’ she told People. ‘I lost weight because I listened to my doctor, which I hadn’t done in a few years. And I succeed 90% of the time since a protein-rich diet already benefits me. I’m a Texas gal, so I enjoy meat—sorry, vegans of the world!”

Kelly stated that her diet is a ‘healthy mix’, which means she still allows sweets.

I still indulge. ‘The other night, I had frozen yoghurt with my daughter, and it was fantastic,’ she continued.

Kelly stated that in 2018 when on a weight-loss journey, she would change the ingredients in her meals to make them healthier. ‘It’s the same stuff you eat; I use different ingredients,’ she explained.

‘Even for fried chicken, I use cassava flour, tapioca, or almond flour, while you use hormone-free chicken.’

However, Kelly agreed that this is not the most convenient option for most people. ‘I’m going to be honest with you: it’s incredibly expensive,’ she said.

Kelly later stated that she had lost weight after reading Dr. Steven Gundry’s The Plant Paradox. The Plant Paradox Diet is lectin-free, excluding beans, legumes, whole grains, some vegetables, and dairy.

‘I literally read this book, and I followed it for an autoimmune condition and a thyroid issue, and now all of my numbers are back up,’ Kelly told Extra the same year. ‘Thanks to this book, I’m no longer taking medication. It’s all about how we cook our food: non-GMO, pesticide-free, and eating organically.

In addition to nutrition and exercise, Kelly revealed that she has been using infrared saunas, which have been shown to promote sleep, ease tension and pain, and help clarify skin.

She’s also tried cold plunges. ‘I just took a chilly plunge because everyone wore me down,’ Kelly explained.

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MAID Now Accounts for 1 in 20 Deaths in Canada

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MAID cases rose to 15,000 in 2023
MAID, often known as voluntary euthanasia, accounted for 4.7% of Canadian deaths in 2023

Medical assistance in dying (MAID), often known as voluntary euthanasia, accounted for 4.7% of Canadian deaths in 2023, according to new Health Canada data.

According to Heath Canada’s fifth annual report, since the Trudeau government legalized MAID in 2016, about 15,300 persons will undergo assisted death in 2023 if their applications are granted.

The median age in this group was more than 77. The great majority, almost 96%, died from “reasonably foreseeable” causes, such as cancer.

In a tiny number of other cases, patients may not have been terminally sick but wanted assisted suicide owing to a protracted and difficult illness that had significantly reduced their quality of life.

Canada is one of a few countries that have passed assisted dying legislation in the last decade. Others include Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Austria.

In Canada, consenting adults can request medical help in dying from a healthcare physician if they have a serious and irreversible medical condition. Some constraints exist, such as requiring two independent healthcare providers to certify the patient’s eligibility before the request is authorized.

Quebec Highest in MAID Deaths

In 2023, more than 320,000 individuals died in Canada, with medical assistance accounting for 15,300 of those fatalities (or around one in every 20).

According to estimates presented by Health Canada on Wednesday, the rate of assisted dying in Canada would rise by about 16% in 2023. This figure represents a significant decrease from the average increase of 31% in prior years.

The research stated that it is too early to determine what caused the rate to slow. For the first time, the report examined race and ethnic data on persons who received MAID.

Around 96% of receivers identified as caucasian, who comprise over 70% of Canada’s population. It’s unknown what produced the difference.

The second-highest reported ethnic group was East Asians (1.8%), who comprise approximately 5.7% of Canadians.

MAID remained the most commonly used method in Quebec, accounting for roughly 37% of all euthanasia fatalities despite the province’s population being only 22% of Canada.

The Quebec government initiated a study earlier this year to investigate why its euthanasia rate was so high.

Expanded Access to MAID

In 2021, the Trudeau government expanded access to MAID for persons who do not have a terminal diagnosis but wish to terminate their lives due to a chronic, disabling ailment. Earlier this year, it was announced that access to those with mental problems would be expanded again.

However, it was postponed for the second time because Canadian provinces, which control healthcare delivery, raised concerns about the system’s ability to handle such a large expansion.

On Wednesday, Health Canada defended the procedure, citing the criminal code’s “strict eligibility” conditions.

However, Cardus, a Christian research tank, claimed the latest MAID data were “alarming” and revealed that Canada has one of the world’s fastest-growing euthanasia regimes.

A report released in October by the Ontario government offered some insight on contentious cases in which people were awarded assisted dying when they were not reaching the end of their natural lives.

One example was a woman in her fifties with a history of melancholy and suicide ideation who was extremely sensitive to chemicals.

Her plea for euthanasia was granted after she was unable to find a home that could meet her medical requirements.

Another example made headlines recently, involving a Nova Scotia cancer patient who claimed she was twice asked if she was aware of assisted dying as an option while undergoing mastectomy surgery.

According to the National Post, the question “came up in completely inappropriate places”.

Many other Canadian news sites have also covered incidents in which people with disabilities considered assisted suicide owing to a lack of housing or disability assistance.

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