Adam Bowen and James Monsees start developing e-cigarette prototypes.

Bowen and Monsees create a business plan, acquire investors, then incorporate as Ploom.

Ploom introduces a premium vaporizer, Pax.

Ploom is renamed Pax Labs; then Juul is introduced in June.

Juul Labs is created (not related to Pax.) Slow start, but then market share jumped from 10% to nearly 50%. Surpassed British American Tobacco’s “Vuse.” Juul becomes the leading e-cigarette in the U.S.

Juul adds about 120 employees every month. Wells Fargo estimated Juul Labs’ value at $38 billion. In April, the Food and Drug Administration begins an investigation of Juul Labs, seizing thousands of documents.

The FDA commissioner at the time issues a statement stating that teenage use of e-cigarettes has reached “epidemic” levels and warns the e-cigarette industry to address this issue or risk having their products taken off the market.

The FDA performed an unannounced inspection of Juul Labs’ headquarters and collected over a thousand pages of documents.

Juul Labs comes under scrutiny from local and federal officials for likely targeting youth with marketing tactics and for increased vaping among teens.

The FDA issues new regulations that restrict the sale of e-cigarettes at gas stations, convenience stores, and pharmacies. The agency also requested that all e-cigarette manufacturers show that their products meet the new regulations by August 8, 2021.

The FDA announces that they have received reports of people experiencing seizures after using e-cigarettes.

San Francisco, the headquarters of Juul Labs, bans the sale of e-cigarettes.

E-cigarette manufacturers are given a deadline (May 12, 2020) to submit premarket tobacco applications to the FDA.

The FDA announces that it received a total of 127 reports of seizures and other neurological symptoms.

A 19-year-old Juul user files a lawsuit against the company claiming that Juul used deceptive marketing practices that led to his nicotine addiction. The lawsuit also names the tobacco company Philip Morris and Juul investor, Altria.

The Federal Trade Commission investigates the marketing methods of 6 e-cigarette companies including Juul.

The CDC announces that 22 states have reported 193 potential cases of severe lung disease linked to e-cigarettes.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announces the first death caused by respiratory illness linked to vaping.

Four deaths linked to vaping are reported that occurred between September 4 and 6th.

The FDA issues a warning letter to Juul Labs about the company’s marketing of unauthorized modified risk tobacco products and targeting the youth.

Photos of revealing the severe damage to the lungs caused by vaping and Juul continues its “Make the Switch” ad despite FDA warning.

The Washington State Department of Health announced three more confirmed cases of severe lung disease linked to vaping.

The CDC says the number of cases of vaping-related lung illnesses has risen to 530 across 38 states.

Walmart and Sam’s Club stops selling e-cigarettes amid the controversy of e-cigarettes and regulations.

The California Department of Public Health releases a health advisory warning that states the “imminent public health risks posed by vaping any product.”

Juul Labs CEO resigns and the company stops all advertising.

The CDC reports vaping-related lung illnesses increased to 805 with 12 known deaths.

The District Attorney of San Joaquin County launches an investigation of Juul Labs.

Massachusetts health officials report the state’s first vaping-related death and the CDC reports 18 vaping-related deaths across 15 states.