The increase in sales of electronic cigarettes to minors is prompting the FDA to crack down on

The electronic cigarette can be a beneficial tool to stop smoking, but its use in minors can be dangerous. Despite the health risks associated with the high levels of nicotine present in electronic cigarette capsules, JUUL, a discrete electronic cigarette designed to look like a USB key, is becoming increasingly popular among young people.

JUUL is a rechargeable battery powered device that works by heating a mixture of flavored liquid and nicotine. The liquid becomes aerosolized for inhalation, with nicotine salts allowing inhaling large amounts of nicotine without irritation, according to a statement released by the CDC.¹

From 2016 to 2017, JUUL sales have increased more than 7 times, reaching the largest share of the US e-cigarette market at the end of 2017, according to an analysis of JUUL data published by the CDC and published by JAMA.¹

In 2013, there was not a single electronic cigarette dominating the market, but in 2014, British American Tobacco's electronic cigarette sales had increased by 146% and remained in 2017. From 2016 to 2017, JUUL took over with a rapid rise from 2.2 million devices sold in 2016 to 16.2 million devices sold in 2017, a total increase of 641%. At the end of 2017, JUUL accounted for 1 in 3 of electronic cigarette sales, making it the largest market in the United States, according to the CDC.¹

The rapid growth of JUUL sales is alarming, according to the CDC, since many of these purchases are made by or for underage users, who are more sensitive to the risks of electronic cigarettes for health. The high levels of nicotine in JUUL are dangerous for children because nicotine is highly addictive and can impair brain development until the age of 20. The CDC notes that 74% of youth who used JUUL reported purchasing the device directly at a retail store, according to the release.¹

"JUUL's popularity among kids is threatening our progress in reducing the use of e-cigarettes by young people," said Robert Redfield, MD, director of the CDC, in a prepared statement. "We are alarmed by the fact that these new high-nicotine electronic cigarettes, marketed and sold in child-friendly flavors, appeal to young people in our country."¹

The CDC warns of the dangerous use of e-cigarettes in children, teens and adults, and the US Surgeon General said e-cigarette use among youth and young adults was a public health concern. In order to address this concern, the FDA is attacking illegal sales of electronic cigarettes to young people and targeting marketing to young people.¹

The FDA recently held a national undercover blitz, both in stores and online, and sent over 1,300 warning letters and civil fines complaints to retail stores that were found illegally selling JUUL and other electronic cigarettes to minors.² The agency also issued 12 warnings to online retailers selling mislabelled or advertised electronic cigarettes as child-friendly food products, such as sweets and cookies.³ In addition, the FDA is asking JUUL and 4 other popular brands of electronic cigarettes to submit a detailed plan to make it easier for young people to access their products, according to a FDA release.²

The FDA is developing a comprehensive plan on the regulation of nicotine and tobacco to prevent the use of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes among youth, while keeping these products accessible to the public. adults as an alternative to smoking, the statement said.²

"While we remain committed to promoting policies that promote the potential of e-cigarettes to help adult smokers move away from combustible cigarettes, this work can not harm children," said Scott Gottlieb, MD the FDA. "We can not allow a new generation to become addicted to nicotine."

The FDA has issued an additional statement announcing its investigation into more than 40 products, including flavored electronic cigarette products, from 21 electronic cigarette manufacturing companies. Officials believe that these products are illegally marketed outside the FDA's policy.

References

1. JUUL Skyrocket electronic cigarette sales, a danger for young people. CDC press room. CDC. October 2, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p1002-e-Cigarettes-sales-danger-youth.html. Accessed October 2, 2018.
2. The FDA is taking new measures to combat the e-cigarette use epidemic among young people, including a historic move against more than 1,300 retailers and 5 major manufacturers for their perpetuating roles. youth access. FDA press release. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/UCM620184.htm. Accessed October 2, 2018.
3. FDA Advances Investigation into whether more than 40 e-cigarette products are illegally traded and the compliance policies of external agencies. FDA press release. FDA. October 12, 2018. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm623256.htm. Accessed October 12, 2018.