Aug. 8 (UPI) — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday ordered four companies to halt sales of flavored e-cigarettes and hookah tobacco products.
The agency said the companies lack the required marketing authorization to sell the 44 products in the United States. The companies include Mighty Vapors LLC, doing business as Ovo Manufacturing & Distribution; Liquid Labs USA LLC, doing business as Likido Labs USA; V8P Juice International LLC; and Hookah Imports Inc.
Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless said the notice to the companies comes amid efforts to restrict marketing of flavored tobacco products to children and teens.
“”The marketing of illegal tobacco products is particularly concerning given the epidemic of youth vaping that we’re facing, which we know has resulted in part from irresponsible practices of manufacturers, importers and retailers who have targeted kids in their marketing of these products,” he said.
“We are committed to tackling the troubling trend of youth e-cigarette use by continuing to use all available regulatory tools to ensure these products aren’t being marketed to, sold to, or used by kids.”
E-cigarette companies have come under fire in recent years for marketing their products to minors, including those who don’t realize they’re using nicotine when they vape.
Researchers found that more than half of 15,000 Instagram posts related to Juul, the most popular e-cigarette brand, between March and May 2018 focused on youth culture or content that would appeal to teens.
