LSU, Six Other Louisiana Schools Using Juul Settlement Money on Anti-Vaping NIL Deals

The Pelican State is launching a unique crusade.
Mike the Tiger during LSU's 85–46 win over McNeese State on Nov. 18, 2021.
Mike the Tiger during LSU's 85–46 win over McNeese State on Nov. 18, 2021. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Few states take college athletics more seriously than Louisiana—and the Pelican State is reportedly proving that with a crusade designed to reduce teen vaping.

Per a Wednesday morning report from Piper Hutchinson of the Louisiana Illuminator citing public records, Louisiana's government is using money from a settlement with Juul to do a series of anti-vaping NIL deals with college athletes in the state.

"According to public records, the state so far has agreed to spend $281,000 on NIL deals with athletes, with $225,000 going to LSU athletes over three years," Hutchinson wrote.

In addition to the Tigers, Louisiana is said to be engaging athletes at Grambling, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, McNeese State, Northwestern State, and Southeastern Louisiana.

The $10 million settlement "can be used for research, education, and vaping cessation programs, among other things," per Hutchinson.

Given the sheer visibility of college sports and college athletes in Louisiana, the state government will have a powerful ally.


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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .