E-cigarettes: FDA bans market-leading Juul in blow to US tobacco industry
US health officials ordered the vape company Juul to stop selling its popular electronic cigarettes on Thursday, the latest blow against the tobacco industry by the Biden administration.
The action is part of a sweeping effort by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to bring scientific scrutiny to the multibillion-dollar vaping industry after years of regulatory delays.
The ban comes one day after the Biden administration proposed a rule to establish a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and other tobacco products in an attempt to make them less addictive.
Launched in 2015, Juul led the way in e-cigarettes, controlling 75% of the e-cigarette market in the US by its third year. It is the fifth best-selling e-cigarette in the UK with sales of £13.1m in 2021. But the sale of flavors such as mint, mango and creme brulee led to charges it was encouraging teen smokers.
Parents, politicians and anti-tobacco advocates wanted a ban on the devices that many blame for the rise in underage vaping. Supporters say they can help smokers cut back on regular cigarettes.
The FDA said Juul had failed to provide “sufficient evidence” that its devices helped people quit smoking.
Dr Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, said: “The agency has dedicated significant resources to review products from the companies that account for most of the US 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.”
The American Lung Association applauded the move: “Today’s decision is welcomed and long overdue. @FDATobacco made the right decision to end the sale of all Juul products including #menthol. They remain one of the most popular e-cigarettes among teens. Stopping
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