Juul

Juul Labs has reached settlements covering cases brought by about 10,000 plaintiffs related to its vaping products. Buffeted by lawsuits, Juul announced hundreds of layoffs last month.

The e-cigarette maker has agreed to settle a two-year investigation by 33 states and Puerto Rico into the marketing of its vaping products, which have been blamed for a surge in teen vaping.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf says a nongovernmental research group will convene experts to deliver the evaluations within 60 business days.

The U.S. federal agency said on Twitter that the stay temporarily suspends the marketing denial order while it conducts further review, but does not rescind it.

The company "will finally be held accountable for creating the youth vaping epidemic," the advocacy group Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes told NPR. Juul said it plans to fight the decision.

More than 500 companies submitted applications for 6.5 million vaping products to the FDA. The agency ruled on some of them but did not yet make a decision on products made by Juul.

The settlement follows years of accusations that the electronic cigarette giant had fueled a surge in teen vaping. As part of the agreement, Juul will not advertise to anyone under 21 in the state.

Vaping has produced a diverse community of aficionados with all sorts of subspecialties. One vape-juice "mixologist" sells her recipes for as much as $1,500, while custom-made devices go for $3,000.

Amid growing concerns over e-cigarette health risks, the Drug Enforcement Administration says it will collect vaping devices and cartridges at National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday.

Flavored e-cigarettes have hooked millions of teens to nicotine. Now, Juul says it will suspend sales of many flavors. Some call the move too little, too late.