Juul has six lobbyists working in South Carolina and they're already affecting state e-cigarette law
As discussion over whether e-cigarette companies should make an effort to curb their proliferation among teens, the growing industry's biggest player has staffed up to influence how that debate is framed in state legislatures and local governments, including in South Carolina.
A front page New York Times story on Sunday detailed the impact that at least six lobbyists working for Juul, the largest e-cigarette company, is already having on South Carolina laws being debated that could impact their business in the state.
In all, some 80 lobbyists are working nationwide on behalf of Juul Labs, which took a $12.8 billion investment last year from tobacco giant Altria for a 35 percent stake in the company. As of March, Juul reportedly controlled more than half of the American e-cig market despite only going on sale in 2015. Juul products are not allowed to be sold in the EU because they contain such high levels of nicotine.
The six lobbyists reported to be working with Juul Labs include Statehouse power players like Kenny Bingham, a former House majority leader. The Times reports that three of the lobbyists work for McGuireWoods Consulting where Jim Hodges, the former Democratic governor, is the president and CEO.
Read more: https://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheBattery/archives/2019/05/03/juul-has-six-lobbyists-working-in-south-carolina-and-theyre-already-affecting-state-e-cigarette-laws