“[A]s we work to keep kids from making the deadly progression from experimentation to regular cigarette use, it’s imperative that we also make sure children and teenagers aren’t getting hooked on more novel nicotine-delivery products. Today, we’re announcing several new actions and efforts aimed at doing just that as the first steps in a new Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan focused on stopping youth use of tobacco products, and in particular, e-cigarettes.” ~ FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a press release announcing a major enforcement effort aimed at reducing youth access to and use of electronic vaping devices, with a special emphasis on the Juul electronic cigarette. The Juul device has been particularly popular with minors, and the FDA has “sent an official request for information directly to JUUL Labs, requiring the company to submit important documents to better understand the reportedly high rates of youth use and the particular youth appeal of these products.”
This initiative is part of the FDA’s new Youth Tobacco Prevention plan. As part of the FDA’s efforts to significantly reduce youth tobacco and nicotine use, Commissioner Gottlieb has a warning for manufacturers and retailers of these products. “I hope that this sends a clear message to all tobacco product manufacturers and retailers that the FDA is taking on this issue with urgency, and if kids are flocking to your product or you’re illegally selling these products to kids, you’re on the agency’s radar.”