The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a letter to Juul as a warning that the vaping company violates the law because it markets products as safer than cigarettes.
FDA Demands Action
The FDA sent a severe warning in a letter to Juul Labs to immediately correct the violations. According to the letter, Juul has been illegally marketing its vaping products as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes. If the company fails to comply, they face enforcement actions, which could include seizure of the products.
The FDA sent the warning after receiving testimony from the House Oversight and Reform subcommittee investigation. The company has been accused of using a marketing program to target teens and even children at school as well as summer camps.
According to the results of the investigation, Juul has been using the claim that its products are modified risk tobacco products, which is illegal without authorization from the FDA, which Juul didn’t have.
This warning comes after the FDA sent out letters to major e-cigarette manufacturers to take steps to prevent teen use. When this letter was received, Juul stopped selling many of the flavored e-cigarettes in stores and ended the school programs.
This warning letter comes after an investigation started into the deaths of five people who doctors diagnosed with a lung illness which may be linked to vaping. There are 450 cases in 33 states as well as one territory of diagnosed lung illnesses which may be tied to e-cigarette use.
The Appeal of Juul
Altria recently invested a large sum of money in Juul. The manufacturer of Marlboro products is reported to have spent nearly $13 billion. According to experts, Juul’s marketing image is similar to the appeal of Marlboro products as a “cool” trend.
Vaping products are a complicated item because they don’t contain tobacco. However, they do have nicotine in some products as well as other ingredients. These products vary widely with what chemicals are used for vaping, which can impact the level of risk for the user. Some contain TBH, the same ingredient in cannabis. Many include vitamin E acetate, which can be toxic when inhaled. Even the extreme heat from the liquid poses a danger.
Social media shows that Juul products and other e-cigarettes are popular among teens. Teenagers post that they vape at parties and even at school because the Juul product is discreet and looks like a flash drive, so no one knows what they are carrying. The slim design and appealing flavors enhance the cool factor, which leads younger kids to try it.
While Juul and other e-cigarettes are supposed to be for those who already smoke, studies indicate that the products are actually used by those who have never smoked a traditional cigarette. However, research shows it increases the risk that those users will end up moving on to tobacco and other addictive substances. Nicotine is an addictive ingredient in vaping products and is often considered a gateway drug to more dangerous substances like heroin and cocaine.