Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
FDA Launches Undercover Sting Operations To Target Juul Devices That Are Popular With Teens
The New York Times: F.D.A. Cracks Down On ‘Juuling’ Among Teenagers
Recognizing what it called “the troubling reality” that electronic cigarettes have become “wildly popular with kids,” the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced a major crackdown on the vaping industry, particularly on the trendy Juul devices, aimed at curbing sales to young people. The agency said it had started an undercover sting operation this month targeting retailers of Juuls, including gas stations, convenience stores and online retailers like eBay. So far, the F.D.A. has issued warning letters to 40 that it says violated the law preventing sales of vaping devices to anyone under 21. (Zernike, 4/24)
The Associated Press: Agency Warns Retailers Not To Sell Juul E-Cigarette To Kids
The Food and Drug Administration issued warnings to 40 retail and online stores as part of a monthlong operation against illegal sales of Juul to children. Investigators targeted 7-Eleven locations, Shell gas stations and Cumberland Farms convenience stores as well as vaping shops. FDA regulators also asked manufacturer Juul Labs to turn over documents about the design, marketing and ingredients of its product. The rare request focuses on whether certain product features are specifically appealing to young people. (Perrone, 4/24)
The Washington Post: FDA Cracks Down On Sales Of Juul, Other E-Cigarettes To Youths
“Let me be clear to retailers,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a statement. “This blitz, and resulting actions, should serve as notice that we will not tolerate the sale of any tobacco products to youth.” Juul e-cigarettes resemble a USB flash drive but contain high levels of nicotine. They come in such flavors as mango, creme brulee and cool mint and their emissions can be virtually invisible, making it difficult for teachers to spot and stop use of the product. (McGinley, 4/24)
The Hill: FDA Announces Nationwide Crackdown On E-Cig Sales To Kids
Gottlieb said the FDA on Tuesday sent an official request for information to Juul Labs for documents to help the agency understand why their products appeal to kids. "We don’t yet fully understand why these products are so popular among youth. But it’s imperative that we figure it out, and fast. These documents may help us get there," Gottlieb said. (Hellmann, 4/24)
The Wall Street Journal: FDA Seeks Documents From Maker Of Juul E-Cigarettes, Popular With Teens
KandyPens Inc. is a Santa Barbara, Calif., company that sells vaporizers that resemble pens and flash drives, and highlights hip-hop videos that feature its products. KandyPens says its products aren’t intended to be used only with nicotine. “All of our products are sold empty,” said Graham Gibson, chief executive of KandyPens. “We can’t control what people put in our products.” (Chaudhuri and Chaker, 4/24)
