E-cigarettes packaged as youth-appealing items prompt FDA warning letters
The warning letters issued to 7 manufacturers are part of a larger, on-going effort by the FDA to address manufacturing, distribution, and sale of illegal and unauthorized e-cigarettes.
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The FDA has issued warning letters to several online retailers for selling unauthorized e-cigarettes that look similar to soft drink bottles, drink containers, and youth-enticing toys.
The products (pictured on right) could help children and youth hide or conceal the e-cigarettes from adults and could be confused with everyday objects, potentially causing an accidental ingestion from young people, the FDA stated in a press release.
The federal agency stated it is important for teachers, and adults who work with children to be aware of the illegal products.
“As we continue into the school year, it’s critical that parents, teachers, and other adults are aware of illegal e-cigarettes deceptively packaged to look like everyday items,” said Brian King, PhD, MPH, director, Center for Tobacco Products, FDA.
“These types of products can be easily concealed and contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing adolescent brain.”
Specifically, the products highlighted in the FDA’s warning letters include e-cigarettes that imitate drink containers for youth-appealing drinks such as slushies, soft drinks, and milk, and those that are designed to look like toys such as action figures, phones, and dice.
According to findings from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), a decline in e-cigarette use among high school students since 2022 was observed, though an increase in overall tobacco product use among middle school students was observed, including for e-cigarettes.
The retailers lack authorization from the FDA to sell or distribute e-cigarettes in the United States, a requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C). The 7 retailers that were issued warnings were given 15 business days to respond with steps that will correct any violations and prevent future violations.
Injunction, seizure, and civil money penalties could be consequences if the retailers fail to comply or promptly correct the violations.
The warning letters are a part of a larger effort being carried out by the FDA to address illegal e-cigarettes that appeal to young people.
According to the press release, as of November 2023, the FDA has issued approximately 630 warning letters for manufacturing/distributing illegal e-cigarette products and devices.
Over 400 warning letters have been issued to retailers for the sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes. The agency has filed civil money penalty complaints against 35 e-cigarette manufacturers and 42 retailers for manufacture or sale of the unauthorized products.
The FDA has worked with the Department of Justice to “seek injunctions against 6 manufacturers of unauthorized e-cigarettes.”
Reference:
FDA warns retailers to stop selling illegal youth-appealing e-cigarettes disguised as everyday items. FDA. Press release. November 16, 2023. Accessed November 21, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/ctp-newsroom/fda-warns-retailers-stop-selling-illegal-youth-appealing-e-cigarettes-disguised-everyday-items
