FDA Announces Ban on Sales of E-Cigarettes From Juul Labs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued market denial orders on products from electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) company Juul Labs, effectively placing a ban on the company’s currently marketed items in the United States. This ban applies to the selling and distribution of the company’s e-cigarette device and four types of pods, with nicotine concentrations ranging from 3% to 5%.
This announcement comes after the Biden administration published plans aimed at limiting the addictiveness of cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products. According to the FDA, these plans include implementing a standard that establishes a maximum nicotine level for such products.
The FDA has been reviewing e-cigarette usage over time, and it only increased as companies such as Juul Labs began experiencing record-high sales in 2017. Both the marketing tactics used for these products and their flavor offerings have appealed to teenagers, posing concerns among regulators.
“The agency has dedicated significant resources to review products from the companies that account for most of the U.S. market. We recognize these make up a significant part of the available products and many have played a disproportionate role in the rise in youth vaping.”
- FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explained that e-cigarettes not only contain nicotine, which is what makes them addictive, but they also contain other harmful and potentially dangerous ingredients. These ingredients include:
Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
Flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease
Volatile organic compounds
Heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead
According to the FDA, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. In fact, nearly half a million (480,000) people die prematurely each year from smoking-related diseases.
Next Steps
According to the FDA, unauthorized electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products that do not go through appropriate approval processes are among its highest enforcement priorities. As a result, there may continue to be enforcement and regulatory actions on products such as e-cigarettes. Retailers should contact Juul Labs with any questions about the company’s products in their inventory.
If you or someone you know is interested in quitting smoking, review the FDA’s resources for more information.
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