What Happened to JUUL Virginia Tobacco Pods (and the Refillable Alternative)

JUUL is one of the best-known vape brands across the globe. JUUL Virginia Tobacco pods are often overlooked in favor of fruity flavors, partly because they can’t compete with the traditional taste of tobacco.

Overview Of the JUUL Brand 

Juul Labs is the creative force behind JUUL products. It was founded in 2015 “with the goal of helping to transition the world’s one billion adult smokers away from combustible cigarettes.” 

JUUL is one of the most popular e-cigarette brands across the globe. It was once the most preferred e-cigarette brand among teenagers in the U.S. From 2015 onwards, JUUL products experienced a meteoric rise to fame. In the last quarter of 2017, the brand had $150 million in retail sales, which accounted for around 40% of the retail share of the market. 

Data shows that JUUL was still a leading e-cigarette brand in the U.S. in 2022, with a whopping 37% of the e-cigarette market in that year. 

What Is JUUL? 

JUUL is a sleek, easy-to-use pod system. JUUL products are particularly popular among young people and new vapers, probably due to the super easy, convenient style. The slim devices toe the line between traditional pod kits and disposable devices. There are no buttons or customization options, but vapers can choose from a wide range of flavors. 

What Does JUUL Virginia Tobacco Taste Like? 

Traditionally, Virginia tobacco is the mildest of all the blended tobaccos and has the highest level of natural sugar. JUUL Virginia Tobacco Pods are a mix of sugary sweetness and mild tobacco flavorings. The elements aren’t overbearing, and there is a toasted tang on the exhale. 

Unfortunately, the taste isn’t comparable to a real cigarette. Like a lot of vape manufacturers, JUUL uses artificial tobacco flavorings. The true taste of Virginia tobacco does not quite come through, leading to a disappointing vape experience. 

Virginia tobacco liquids are popular in the vape world because they try to emulate the mild, mellow, and sweet tones of cigarette brands such as Marlboro, Chesterfield, and L&M. 

Key Features Of Virginia Tobacco Pods by JUUL

• Flavor. Classic Virginia Tobacco flavor with a sweet, toasted finish
• Nicotine. 20/30/50mg/ml nicotine per pod
• Price. $13.99 for a two-pack of pods 
• Puffs. 200 puffs per pod

Countless studies show that JUUL nicotine products are popular among young people. 

The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study from 2019 surveyed e-cigarette brands among U.S. youth (12-17 years), young adults (18-24 years), and adults (25 years and above). It found that JUUL use was reported by 65.2% of youth, 60.7% of young adults, and 25.6% of adult e-cigarette users. 

In the last few years, the tide has turned. The 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that the most commonly reported brands among young people were Elf Bar (56.7%), Esco Bars (21.6%), Vuse (20.7%), JUUL (16.5%), and Mr Fog (13.6%). Even though JUUL has fallen down the rankings, it still retains its status as a household name.

It is reasonable to assume that Virginia Tobacco JUUL pods are much less popular among young people than the fruit-flavored alternatives. After all, the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (and all previous Youth Tobacco Surveys) shows that fruit flavors are the most popular option among young people. 

JUUL Pods vs. Natural Tobacco E-Liquids 

Ex-smokers naturally gravitate toward Virginia Tobacco JUUL pods and other tobacco-flavored e-liquids. Unfortunately, tobacco-flavored e-liquids are known for being poor substitutes for the real thing. Many ex-smokers are disappointed to find that their new tobacco-flavored e-liquid tastes ashy and unpleasant. 

The gap between traditional cigarettes and tobacco-flavored e-liquids became more apparent when natural tobacco e-liquids (N.E.T. liquids) hit the market. 

Why Natural Tobacco Vapes Are a Better Alternative 

As the name suggests, our N.E.T. e-liquids are naturally extracted from real tobacco leaves, not artificially created in a lab. Our extensive nine-step extraction process preserves the original, authentic tobacco flavorings in the leaves. 

N.E.T. e-liquids are a natural alternative for smokers who want to switch and still experience the great taste of tobacco. JUUL Virginia Tobacco pods have nothing on the great taste of naturally extracted tobacco flavorings. 

Learn more about the battle between Artificial vs. Natural Tobacco E-Liquid Flavors on our blog. 

Benefits Of Black Note Tobacco E-Liquid 

Black Note does not just offer a great taste. It is the most authentic option for ex-smokers: real tobacco leaves, naturally extracted, with no artificial flavors. 

The complete range of naturally extracted blends is on the tobacco vape juice collection page.

Here are a few of the benefits of choosing Black Note liquids. 

• Natural tobacco taste
• No artificial anything
• Natural nicotine
• No diacetyl 

Black Note contains no diacetyl, no acetyl propionyl, and no artificial flavorings. Every ingredient is on the label: natural tobacco extract, tobacco-derived nicotine, vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and purified water.

All e-liquids contain a few base components. Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG) form the base for all e-liquids, and JUUL Virginia Tobacco pods are no different. This brand also uses benzoic acid, flavorings, nicotine, and water.  

Nicotine Content In Virginia Tobacco JUUL Pods 

Virginia Tobacco JUUL pods come in varying nicotine strengths. JUUL 2 Pods contain 21.6mg of nicotine per pod. JUUL claims that each pod contains the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes. Other JUUL pods contain anything from 20mg-50mg of nicotine. 

Studies have shown that the amount of nicotine stated on the packaging of JUUL pods is not always accurate. A group of researchers reviewed a range of these studies and found that in five independent studies, nicotine in the e-liquid in JUUL pods ranged from 39.3-48.3mg. Researchers speculate that this is due to how effectively the device transfers the nicotine to the aerosol. 

It is important to note that JUUL does not manufacture nicotine-free pods. 

Flavoring and Other Ingredients in JUUL Pods

JUUL’s Virginia Tobacco pods contain artificial flavorings. Artificial flavors can be made from anything. Typically, manufacturers use a combination of chemical compounds in an attempt to recreate natural flavorings. 

In 2015, Harvard Medical School conducted a study that found diacetyl in more than 75% of flavored electronic cigarettes. On top of that, researchers also found 2,3-pentanedione and acetone in a sample of 51 products from the U.S. 

When diacetyl is inhaled, it causes bronchiolitis obliterans, better known as popcorn lung. In essence, this chemical scars the tiny air sacs in the lungs. Over time, this forces the passageways to thicken and narrow. Popcorn lung is incurable, which is why many campaign groups are calling for an outright ban on diacetyl in vape products.

Find your setup in under two minutes. Answer a few questions and get a blend, strength, and format matched to you.

Production Of Virginia Tobacco JUUL Pods 

Since 2018, JUUL e-cigarettes have been made in Shenzhen, China, which has long been established as the home of vape manufacturing. In the same year, JUUL Labs moved the production of JUUL pods to the U.S.

Why JUUL Pods Are Banned

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for overseeing the sale of vape products in the U.S., among other things, introduced Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTAs) in September 2020. 

Now, vape brands must apply for a PMTA and receive a Marketing Granted Order (MGO) before they can sell and distribute products in the U.S. 

The regulatory story has moved in stages. In June 2022, the FDA issued a Marketing Denial Order covering JUUL Virginia Tobacco pods and all other JUUL products, briefly ordering them off the U.S. market; the order was put on hold almost immediately while JUUL appealed. In June 2024, the FDA rescinded the denial entirely and returned JUUL’s applications to review. Then, in July 2025, the FDA issued marketing granted orders for the JUUL device and its Virginia Tobacco and Menthol pods, which authorizes their sale in the U.S. (marketing authorization is not the same thing as FDA approval or an endorsement of safety).

Scientists are worried about the health implications of using Virginia Tobacco JUUL pods. The nicotine in one JUUL pod is equivalent to an entire pack of cigarettes, meaning that new users have to be very careful when they start using pods. 

Short-term Health Effects Of JUUL Pods

Nicotine sickness is also referred to as being nic sick. If you consume too much nicotine at once, you are in danger of being nic sick. This is one of the often overlooked short-term health effects of choosing the wrong-strength JUUL pod. 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomachache 
• Loss of appetite 
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure 

If you become nic sick, you will feel the effects within 15 minutes. Nicotine tends to stay in the human body for one to three days.

Want to avoid nic sickness? Read our Nicotine Strength Guide.

What Long-Term Studies Say About JUUL Use 

We have already mentioned popcorn lung, but what are the other long-term health risks associated with JUUL pods?

Research suggests that 2,3-pentanedione and acetone, which have also been found in JUUL products, have harmful long-term health implications. A group of researchers monitored rats who had inhaled 2,3-pentanedione. The rats developed necrotizing rhinitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis.

Nicotine is extremely addictive. The immediate adrenaline buzz might feel good, but nicotine also creates a chemical dependency that is difficult to break. In the meantime, nicotine increases the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disorders, decreases immune system response, impacts reproductive health, and greatly increases the chance of developing cancer.  

The Future Of JUUL and Other E-Cigarette Brands 

So, what lies ahead for JUUL? 

We do not doubt that JUUL will continue to be a significant presence in the vape industry, but recent developments have forever changed the trajectory of the brand. In the last few years, JUUL has declined in popularity among young people. The 2025 authorization settled the regulatory question. It did not settle the flavor one: the pods still taste the way a flavor lab decided they should, at a fixed strength, in a cartridge you cannot refill.

As for Virginia Tobacco JUUL pods and other tobacco-like e-liquids, we suspect that consumers will replace them with N.E.T. e-liquids. Not only do naturally-extracted tobacco liquids taste better than the artificial alternative, and the ingredient list stays short and readable. 

Black Note is the best-tasting alternative to JUUL. On top of that, it is the best e-liquid for health-conscious individuals who want to avoid unnecessary sweeteners, artificial flavors, and dangerous chemicals. 

Here are two of our most popular N.E.T. e-liquids. 

Virginia Tobacco E-Liquid 

We can’t talk about Virginia Tobacco JUUL pods without mentioning our very own Virginia Tobacco e-liquid, which set the standard when it was first introduced in January of 2015. Like all our liquids, Virginia Tobacco only contains natural flavorings. That means there are no artificial flavors, no sweeteners, and no diacetyl. 

Instead, vapers get a mellow and mildly sweet taste that comes straight from the tobacco leaf. The taste is comparable to a classic Marlboro cigarette, making this e-liquid perfect for people who want an easy transition from smoking to vaping. 

We sell three types of Virginia Tobacco e-liquid, including 70VG/30PG, 50VG/50PG, and salt nic versions. You can also choose from 20mg, 30mg, and 50mg nicotine strengths. 

Discover the classic light cigarette taste with our Virginia E-Liquid. Dive into the essence in our brief video here.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIRGINIA TOBACCO

American Blend Tobacco E-Liquid

If you like Virginia Tobacco e-liquid, the chances are you will love American Blend e-liquid. This liquid combines the distinct but complementary flavors of Virginia, Burley, and Oriental tobaccos. We flue-cure, air-cure, and sun-cure the leaves to evoke rich, full-bodied flavors. 

American Blend e-liquid has a classic cigarette taste.  

You can purchase three types of American Blend e-liquid, including 70VG/30PG, 50VG/50PG, and salt nic versions. This flavor is available with 20mg, 30mg, and 50mg nicotine strengths. 

Experience timeless cigarette taste with our American Blend Tobacco E-Liquid. Watch our short video here.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN BLEND

JUUL might have carved out a place in the market for fun, fruity flavors, but Virginia Tobacco JUUL pods have reached the end of their lifecycle. The emergence of N.E.T. e-liquids has truly put an end to the ashy, inauthentic tobacco flavors of yesterday. 

Naturally extracted flavorings are the way forward, especially for conscientious people who want naturally extracted flavor when they transition from smoking to vaping.

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company, including Black Note and its affiliates. The author, who is not a medical professional, writes this blog post without intending to offer medical advice or replace advice or treatment from a personal physician.

This blog post discusses tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and related substances, intended solely for adult use and potentially harmful to health. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition or your health.

The author, the blog, Black Note, and its affiliates assume no responsibility for any actions or inaction a reader takes based on the information presented in this blog. We do not intend this content to promote smoking or vaping, and readers should interpret it accordingly.