Juul, a manufacturer of e-cigarette and vaping products, announced it is laying off more than 600 employees as part of a massive, $1 billion spending cutback.
The announcement came as the company, and the vaping industry in general, is reeling from increased concerns over e-cigarette-product deaths and health risks.
On Friday, the Trump administration said it will pursue raising the age to purchase electronic cigarettes from 18 to 21 in its upcoming plans to combat youth vaping.
Juul announced Tuesday it would cut 650 jobs and phase out the position of chief marketing officer. Craig Brommers, the company’s former chief marketing officer, resigned in late October.
»MORE: Top Juul marketing exec resigns as vaping health concerns rise
The represent about 16% of Juul's global workforce, according to CNN.
As of Oct. 22, 1,604 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, illnesses have been reported to the CDC, based in Atlanta. Alaska is the only state to have not reported vaping-related illnesses. None of the illnesses have been directly traced to Juul products.
»READ: Third vaping-related death in Georgia confirmed as total cases rise
Vapes and e-cigarettes have a small heating element that turns liquid nicotine — often mixed with flavoring — into a vapor that doesn’t linger or smell like tobacco smoke. Some devices can take cartridges that have THC, the substance in marijuana that gives a high, but these are not legal in Georgia.
»MORE: Alpharetta approves stricter laws around tobacco, vape shops
A new survey says that while teens are aware of the risks of vaping, it has become a common part of the youth landscape of America. The poll by Common Sense and SurveyMonkey reflects the rapid spread of vaping among teens and the powerful reach of social media in exposing kids to the risky trend.
»MORE: Milton bans synthetic marijuana, opiates after teen incidents
»RELATED: New poll shows teen vaping is everywhere including schools
