The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against over 180 stores nationwide, ordering them to stop selling fruit- and candy-flavored e-cigarettes. Among the targeted brands are Elf Bars and Esco Bars, which are particularly appealing to teenagers. These vapes have not been approved by the FDA and have been linked to various health problems, including lung damage and heart issues. Additionally, their availability can potentially lead young individuals to experiment with other substances.
Brian King, the director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, emphasized the significance of this crackdown, stating that retailers should take it as a wake-up call to comply with the law. Failure to do so may result in warning letters or other actions from the FDA. The nationwide inspection blitz carried out between June 5 and June 16, 2023, resulted in letters being sent to stores across approximately 30 states. The FDA urged these stores to immediately remove the illegal products from their shelves.
Dr. Robert Califf, the FDA’s commissioner, assured that the FDA is prepared to utilize all available authorities to prevent the accessibility of illegal and youth-targeted products, such as flavored disposable e-cigarettes, to children. The agency is committed to employing a multi-faceted approach that includes regulation, compliance and enforcement actions, and education in order to safeguard the youth of the nation.
In an effort to further restrict the availability of Elf Bars and Esco Bars, the FDA issued orders in the previous month that permitted customs officials to seize shipments of these products at US Ports. Additionally, 30 shops were warned about their sales of these brands. The FDA has been aiming to curb the sale of flavored e-cigarettes due to their increasing popularity among teenagers. According to a 2022 survey, over 9% of American teens use e-cigarettes, with more than 14% of high school students currently using them.
In 2020, the FDA limited the use of flavorings in reusable e-cigarettes to menthol and tobacco flavors, which are more appealing to adults. This restriction led to a surge in single-use vaping products that continue to utilize a variety of flavors. Consequently, the number of US children using e-cigarettes has risen by half a million from the previous year, surpassing 2.5 million. This has reversed the downward trend seen in recent years.
The market for disposable vapes has experienced significant growth, currently accounting for 52% of sales as compared to 24.5% in early 2020. Initially dominated by Puff Bars, which sold hundreds of millions of vapes nationwide, the market is now led by Elf Bars, manufactured in China by iMiracle Shezhen, and has become the third most popular e-cigarette brand in the country. The popularity of e-cigarettes increased by almost 50% during the pandemic, driven by the demand for various flavors.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted a significant increase in e-cigarette sales in the US, with over 7 million more products sold in December 2022 compared to January 2020, representing a rise of nearly 47%. While sales of menthol versions slightly declined, fruit and sweet flavors experienced a notable increase from 29% to nearly 41%.
In conclusion, the FDA’s recent actions reflect their commitment to addressing the issue of flavored e-cigarettes, particularly those appealing to teenagers. Their efforts aim to protect the youth from the potential harmful effects of these products and discourage the use of e-cigarettes among underage individuals.
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