Two BC men have filed a civil claim with the Supreme Court of British Columbia against vape brand Juul, after allegedly suffering “adverse health conditions” including pulmonary disease, from using the company’s popular e-cigarettes.

Jaycen Stephens and Owen Mann-Campbell are seeking certification of the claim as a class-action lawsuit on behalf of those who have purchased Juul e-cigarettes to recover health care costs and personal damages.

The pair have accused Juul Labs Canada in Vancouver and Juul Labs Inc. in San Francisco of “misleading and/or deceptive statements” including marketing to minors and implying that vaping is safer than smoking.

According to the claim, both Stephens and Mann-Campbell were minors when they started using e-cigarettes in 2018.

Stephens says he was "misled by the statements made by the defendants with respect to the safety and efficacy of their products and by advertising made by the defendants designed to market their products to minors.”

Mann−Campbell started vaping due to public representations that e−cigarettes were "safe and a healthier alternative to smoking," the suit alleges.

In addition, the claim also accuses the brand of “downplaying, misrepresenting or under-reporting serious side effects and harmful complications,” alleging that individuals who have used the e-cigarettes have reported experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, pneumonia, vocal loss and more.

The claim alleges that Stephens, who prior to 2018 did not smoke cigarettes, has experienced many of the above-mentioned symptoms as well as chronic bronchitis, increased addiction to nicotine and anxiety, all of which his family doctors have advised are “likely related to vaping.”

Stephens claims that he would not have purchased or used e-cigarettes had he been provided with accurate information or warnings with respect to the possible health complications from vaping.

Much like Stephens, Mann-Campbell claims to have experienced symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, increased addiction to nicotine, anxiety, depression and weight loss due to the use of Juul e-cigarettes, with the claim reading that he was advised by his family doctor to stop using them.

In addition, Mann-Campbell also suffers a permanent physical disability, loss of earnings and “income earning capacity” reads the claim.

The allegations have not been tested in court and a statement of defense has not been filed. A representative from Juul Labs Canada says the company has not yet been served with the lawsuit and is therefore unable to comment.

— With files from The Canadian Press