JUUL Settlement Funds Youth-Led War on Vaping in Montgomery County

PHILADELPHIA, PA – February 17, 2026 – In a significant move that turns corporate accountability into community action, global health organization Prevention Ed has been awarded a $1.2 million contract to combat youth nicotine use in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The four-year initiative is funded directly from the state's multi-million dollar settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL Labs, whose marketing practices were blamed for fueling the youth vaping epidemic.

The program aims to flip the script on traditional prevention by empowering young people to lead the charge. A central component of the initiative is the creation of the Montgomery County Teen Senate, a body where students will design and execute their own prevention campaigns, engage in civic action, and educate their peers on the real-world risks of vaping and nicotine.

From Litigation to Leadership

The funding source represents a landmark development in public health, redirecting financial penalties from the company at the center of the youth vaping crisis toward rectifying the harm. Pennsylvania secured a $38.8 million settlement with JUUL in late 2022 following a lawsuit that accused the company of targeting young people with its products and deceptive marketing.

Nationally, JUUL has paid over $1.7 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits from states, school districts, and local governments. The terms of these settlements explicitly mandate that the funds be used for youth prevention, cessation programs, and public health initiatives designed to mitigate the damage caused by the rise in e-cigarette use. The award to Prevention Ed is a direct application of this principle, channeling funds administered through Montgomery County to the front lines of youth engagement.

This initiative joins a growing list of programs across the country leveraging settlement money. School districts from Seattle to Orange County have used their funds for vape detectors and intervention services, while other jurisdictions have established grant programs for local organizations. The Prevention Ed model, however, stands out for its deep focus on youth leadership as the primary driver of change.

A New Era of Peer-Led Prevention

The Montgomery County Teen Senate is the cornerstone of this new approach. Instead of a top-down model where adults lecture students, the program will equip teens with the resources, training, and platform to become credible messengers within their own social circles. Research has increasingly shown that peer-led initiatives are highly effective in reducing substance misuse, as they resonate more authentically with young audiences.

“Substance use prevention is most effective when young people are treated as equal partners and given clear, research-informed information that reflects their real-world experiences,” said Katie Greeley, Founder of Prevention Ed, in the announcement. “That is the standard Prevention Ed sets. We are proud to leverage JUUL settlement funds to support youth leadership in Montgomery County and empower young people with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about vaping and nicotine.”

The organization’s methodology is rooted in evidence-based practices that focus on building cognitive skills and fostering healthy decision-making. By placing students at the helm of prevention efforts, the program aims to create a sustainable culture of health and wellness that is driven by and for the community's youth.

Addressing a Local Need with Global Expertise

The program arrives at a critical time. While recent data from local prevention coordinators in Montgomery County suggests a potential decline in vaping, state-level surveys have shown that approximately one in eight Pennsylvania high school students reported vaping in the past 30 days. The new initiative is designed to complement and bolster existing efforts within the county.

Montgomery County's Office of Drug & Alcohol already coordinates several youth intervention programs, including INDEPTH for vaping, Not on Tobacco (NOT) for nicotine cessation, and even a vape buyback program. The Prevention Ed partnership, backed by a significant multi-year investment, will dramatically scale up these prevention efforts by embedding a comprehensive, school-based program across the region.

Prevention Ed, which operates on five continents, will bring its global expertise to this local partnership. The organization's track record includes developing culturally-tailored programs that have been praised by educators and students for their science-based, non-judgmental approach. Data collection and continuous evaluation will be key components of the Montgomery County program, allowing for real-time adjustments to ensure maximum effectiveness over the four-year contract period.

To further enhance the program's impact, the initiative will be supported by Prevention Ed’s Global Prevention Fellowship. This nine-month program trains emerging leaders in substance use prevention through hands-on learning and cross-cultural collaboration. Fellows will contribute to the Montgomery County program, gaining invaluable field experience while bringing fresh perspectives and skills to the local initiative, creating a powerful synergy between global knowledge and community-based action.