FDA OKs first menthol e-cigarettes
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The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the sale of the first menthol e-cigarettes for adults, saying evidence showed they could reduce the health consequences of traditional cigarette smoking.
Why it matters: It's the strongest government endorsement to date of manufacturers' argument that e-cigarettes are effective smoking cessation tools, despite their appeal to youths.
Details: The agency's decision covers four products from NJOY Holdings, which was acquired last year by tobacco giant Altria. Two are sealed, non-refillable pods, and the others are disposable e-cigarettes with a non-refillable reservoir.
- Regulators said while the authorization allows the products to be legally sold in the U.S., it doesn't mean they are safe or "FDA approved."
- The agency has so far authorized 27 tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products and devices and is conducting a broad review of the vaping industry.
What they're saying: A scientific review of the four NJOY products showed "the strength of evidence of benefits to adult smokers from completely switching to a less harmful product was sufficient to outweigh the risks to youth," said Matthew Farrelly, director of the Office of Science in the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products.
Yes, but: Anti-smoking groups criticized the move, saying it appears inconsistent with the FDA's conclusions that flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol products, have fueled a youth vaping epidemic.
- "Rather than authorizing the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, the FDA should be stepping up its enforcement efforts against the illegal products that are addicting our kids," Yolonda Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement.
Between the lines: The FDA earlier this month rescinded a marketing ban on Juul e-cigarettes, saying it is reviewing new case law and updated information from the company.
- The agency blocked the sale of Juul products in 2022 citing concerns about harmful chemicals leaching from the company's e-liquid pods.
- The Biden administration has repeatedly delayed a ban on menthol tobacco products, which comprise more than one-third of U.S. tobacco sales and are heavily marketed to the Black community, as well as young people.
