Fruit-Flavored E-Cigarette Manufacturers Face FDA Restrictions
In September, the FDA required five manufacturers—Juul, British American Tobacco’s Vuse, Altria’s MarkTen, Imperial Brands’ Blu, and Japan Tobacco’s Logic—to submit plans within 60 days to reduce youth use of their products. According to the FDA, these fi
In September, the FDA required five manufacturers—Juul, British American Tobacco's Vuse, Altria's MarkTen, Imperial Brands' Blu e-cigarettes, and Japan Tobacco's Logic—to submit plans within 60 days to reduce youth usage of their products. According to the FDA, these five companies account for approximately 97% of the e-cigarette market.
Subsequently, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb stated that he has met with executives from each of the aforementioned companies, who provided "thoughtful" suggestions on measures that both the companies and the agency could take to curb youth usage.
Gottlieb stated in a statement: "These companies acknowledge that flavored e-cigarette products attract kids, but they also genuinely help adult smokers quit smoking."
Gottlieb described e-cigarettes as a public health crisis, and the agency may restrict the sale of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes to locations with stricter age checks and is considering limiting sales to e-cigarette shops.
British American Tobacco's Reynolds American has stated plans to penalize retailers selling to minors and strengthen its online sales practices to curb youth usage, among other measures.
Altria announced it would withdraw its MarkTen pod-based products and cease sales of all flavored products except for menthol or tobacco until FDA review and approval. Company spokesperson Steve Callahan noted: "We share the FDA's concerns about youth usage of e-cigarette products and hope to work together to address this issue." The company had previously stated support for raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. Juul also supports this idea and has requested that its online shoppers be at least 21 years old.
Juul's female spokesperson Victoria Davis stated that, based on FDA feedback, executives are finalizing their proposals. "Our plan will outline further actions we will take to keep Juul away from young people," she said.
Japan Tobacco's female spokesperson Michele Maron stated that the company supports the FDA's approach, "including efforts to remove products that are not marketed, promoted, or sold in accordance with regulations."
Gottlieb welcomed any voluntary measures taken by companies to address youth usage of e-cigarettes.
Subsequently, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb stated that he has met with executives from each of the aforementioned companies, who provided "thoughtful" suggestions on measures that both the companies and the agency could take to curb youth usage.
Gottlieb stated in a statement: "These companies acknowledge that flavored e-cigarette products attract kids, but they also genuinely help adult smokers quit smoking."
Gottlieb described e-cigarettes as a public health crisis, and the agency may restrict the sale of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes to locations with stricter age checks and is considering limiting sales to e-cigarette shops.
British American Tobacco's Reynolds American has stated plans to penalize retailers selling to minors and strengthen its online sales practices to curb youth usage, among other measures.
Altria announced it would withdraw its MarkTen pod-based products and cease sales of all flavored products except for menthol or tobacco until FDA review and approval. Company spokesperson Steve Callahan noted: "We share the FDA's concerns about youth usage of e-cigarette products and hope to work together to address this issue." The company had previously stated support for raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. Juul also supports this idea and has requested that its online shoppers be at least 21 years old.
Juul's female spokesperson Victoria Davis stated that, based on FDA feedback, executives are finalizing their proposals. "Our plan will outline further actions we will take to keep Juul away from young people," she said.
Japan Tobacco's female spokesperson Michele Maron stated that the company supports the FDA's approach, "including efforts to remove products that are not marketed, promoted, or sold in accordance with regulations."
Gottlieb welcomed any voluntary measures taken by companies to address youth usage of e-cigarettes.
