The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a new policy requiring companies to cease manufacturing and distribution of flavored e-cigarette cartridge tobacco products within 30 days. The policy is aimed specifically at fruit and mint flavors, which have been found to be most popular among minors.
The FDA has taken another step in its ongoing efforts to combat the vaping and e-cigarette epidemic engulfing the nation’s youth. According to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the FDA in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than five million U.S. middle and high school students use e-cigarettes or vaping. A driving force behind this alarming statistic is the accessibility and novelty of flavors readily available.
Aggressive regulation of vaping products comes well warranted; as of 2019, at least . With minors at the center of these statistics, devices like JUUL and other cartridge-based products have been subject to increased scrutiny. In previous years, the use of traditional tobacco products declined among minors; however, with the introduction of e-cigarettes and their with sleek, unassuming packaging, minors have been given an outlet to tobacco unlike anything that has been seen before.
Flavored E-Cigarette Cartridges Lure Children
The new FDA flavor policy comes in addition to the recent minimum age requirement increase to 21-years old to buy tobacco products, another regulation aimed at decreasing the use of tobacco by minors. The policy states companies manufacturing and distributing electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) will have 30 days from the release of the policy to cease the production and distribution of flavored e-cigarette cartridges, specifically fruit and mint flavors which are most popular among minors. Failure to comply with this FDA policy could result in serious repercussions for tobacco companies.
“While we expect responsible members of industry will comply with premarket requirements, we’re ready to take action against any unauthorized e-cigarette products as outlined in our priorities,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. “We’ll also closely monitor the use rates of all e-cigarette products and take additional steps to address youth use as necessary.” Additionally, the policy formally bans cartridge based vaping products including:
- Any flavored, cartridge-based ENDS product (other than a tobacco- or menthol-flavored ENDS product);
- All other ENDS products for which the manufacturer has failed to take (or is failing to take) adequate measures to prevent minors’ access; and
- Any ENDS product targeted to minors or likely to promote the use of ENDS by minors.
Vaping Injury Lawyers
As common as e-cigarettes and vaping products are, their previously unknown side effects are becoming more apparent and dangerous. Dax F. Garza, P.C. is currently accepting e-cigarette induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or a loved one has been injured, you should contact our vape injury lawyers immediately for a free consultation.
