Four more e-cigarette manufacturers are facing Food and Drug Administration scrutiny in an effort for the agency to better understand youth appeal and usage of e-cigarettes.
“These products should never be marketed to, sold to, or used by kids, and it’s critical that we take aggressive steps to address the youth use of these products.”
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The agency is seeking information including, but not limited to, “documents related to product marketing, documents related to research on product design (as it may relate to the appeal or addictive potential for youth, youth-related adverse experiences), and consumer complaints associated with products,” the agency said in a statement.
The May 17 letters note that the four companies manufacture products similar to JUUL’s product offering, sharing similar characteristics, “including e-liquids that contain nicotine salts with corresponding high nicotine concentration, small size which makes them easily concealable, and product design features that are intuitive, even for novice [electronic nicotine delivery system] users. These attributes may relate to the appeal and addictiveness of the product, particularly for youth who may be experimenting with tobacco products.”
The action is the latest in the agency’s effort to combat nicotine addiction. In March, the agency issues an advanced notice of proposed rule making seeking information on the role flavoring plays in youth tobacco consumption.