FDA seizes documents from Juul in latest e-cigarette crackdown
Ankur Banerjee, Tamara Mathias-Reuters October 2nd, 2018
The FDA is currently pursuing the manufacturers of Juul electronic cigarettes for deceptive marking targeted to minors and young adults. Juul has about 72 percent of the U.S. market for e-cigarette sales, according to Wells Fargo.
Juul’s flash-drive-like device is recharged via a USB port which appeals to young people familiar with the tech age. The device comes with cartridges, or pods, of nicotine-based liquids in flavors like mango, creme and mint — that critics say appeal to minors.
The newest liquid blends from Juul and its imitators – called “nicotine salts” in the industry – contain a compound called benzoic acid, which lowers the pH level of the liquid. That reduction allows users to take in more nicotine without a bitter taste, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally the cartridges are available in flavors and names that appeal to youth.
“The FDA said last month it was considering a ban on flavored e-cigarettes from Juul and others as the agency grapples with an “epidemic” of youth e-cigarette use that threatens to create a new generation of nicotine addicts.
Retail sales of Juul grew more than seven-fold from 2016 to 2017, according to a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Juuling, along with “vaping,” has become a common term for e-cigarette use by teenagers on social media and at U.S. high schools. E-cigarettes vaporize a liquid that contains nicotine, the addictive stimulant that gives smokers a rush.“We want to be part of the solution in preventing underage use, and we believe it will take industry and regulators working together to restrict youth access”.
In July, Durbin, a Democrat, and Murkowski, a Republican, introduced legislation that would place restrictions on e-cigarette flavorings that appeal to children like gummy bear, chocolate cupcake and tutti fruitti.
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