Juul boss Kevin Burns resigns amid concerns about vaping

Kevin Burns, managing director of Juul, a vaping company, resigned amid growing concerns over the health risks of vaping and criticism of its marketing.

The firm has announced that it will withdraw all American advertising.

Burns will be replaced immediately by KC Crosthwaite, former growth manager at Altria, a giant of tobacco, Juul said.

Juul is 35% owned by Altria and has already been accused of targeting children on vaping devices.

Mr. Burns said, "Since I joined Juul Labs, I have worked tirelessly to transform a small business into a global business, so I decided a few weeks ago that the it was time for me to resign. "

The company was popular with investors and filed documents in August showing that it had mobilized $ 325 million in funding.

However, there is growing concern about the risks of vaping for health and the effects of its commercialization.

US authorities are investigating a series of serious lung injuries related to spraying.

On September 9, the US Food and Drug Administration announced that it sent a letter of warning to Juul about its marketing activities, including "a presentation given to young people at a school" as well as activities "aimed at students , tribes, health insurers and employers. "