A US federal judge orders the FDA to apply a 10-month delay for e-cigs applications

(Reuters) – A US federal judge on Friday ordered the Food and Drug Administration to impose a 10-month deadline for filing e-cigarette applications, turning the screw in front of companies like Juul Labs Inc. whose products have been the subject of close scrutiny popularity among teens.

Last month, the FDA had proposed a shorter deadline after the Maryland Federal Court ruled in a lawsuit by anti-smoking groups that the agency had exceeded its authority by allowing the cigarette to stay on the market until 2022, before companies ask for permission.

"I will impose a ten month deadline for submissions and a one year delay for approval, as suggested by the FDA," wrote US Judge Paul Grimm in an order of the yard Friday.

Prior to last month, the agency had offered electronic cigarette manufacturers to have until August 2021 to submit a formal request to sell their products.

But the public health and tobacco control groups at the start of the lawsuit countered that the manufacturers of electronic cigarettes and cigars were submitting their applications within 120 days.

"Today's decision is an important step forward for public health and confirms the FDA's commitment to accelerate the review of these products, especially those of greatest interest to young people," said Acting Commissioner of the FDA, Ned Sharpless.

Juul said in a statement that he was closely evaluating the court's decision, adding that he was fully engaged in the FDA application process.