US Congressional Panel Launches Probe Into Vape Companies

At 22:00 Beijing time, news broke that four dominant U.S. vape manufacturers will face an investigation into the health impact of their products.

On Wednesday, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee questioned the research and marketing practices of these four vape manufacturers.

The four companies are Juul Labs Inc, in which Marlboro stakeholder Altria has invested, Fontem Ventures, Japan Tobacco Inc, and Reynolds American Inc, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco Plc (36.72, 0.55, 1.52%).

In a letter to Juul, the panel asked whether the company had conducted or funded research on the health effects of using its products and on Juul’s effectiveness in helping users quit smoking. It also asked whether Juul had submitted such information to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The investigation comes as lawmakers are subjecting the vaping industry to increasingly strict scrutiny. In July, another House investigative panel released internal Juul emails that committee staff said showed attempts to “gain access to schools and convey its message directly to teenagers.”

Juul co-founder and Chief Product Officer James Monsees told the panel that the company’s target audience is adult smokers.

Committee Chairman and Democratic Representative Frank Pallone said a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentioned lung illnesses associated with vaping. He requested answers and documents related to the investigation by September 20.