JUUL Labs Inc. and its distributors and retailers are holding firm on their stance that the Cherokee Nation’s claims against them aren’t properly stated in an Oklahoma state court petition.

Argument before District 15 Judge Jeff Payton at a virtual hearing on Monday centered on whether negligence and public nuisance claims were proper theories to seek relief for the economic and health effects of young Cherokee Nation members using JUUL’s e-cigarettes, with the defendants’ attorneys saying it’s instead a products liability issue and the pending claims should be dismissed.