10 months ago
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Vaping brand Juul Labs can continue to sell its e-cigarettes and refill cartridges, the Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.
The decision comes after the company struggled for years against heightened regulatory scrutiny and intense backlash as the brand’s flavored pods became popular amongst young people, contributing to the rise in teen vaping.
Despite this, the FDA ruled that Juul’s studies show its e-cigarettes are less harmful for adult smokers, who can benefit from switching from cigarettes to vaping.
The decision applies to both tobacco and menthol-flavored versions of the e-cigarettes, which are used with nicotine-filled cartridges sold in two different strengths.
“This is an important milestone for the company and I think we made a scientifically sound case for the role that menthol can play in e-vapor,” Juul CEO K.C. Crosthwaite told The Associated Press.
Ahead of the decision, Juul attempted to drive away some of its teen consumers by discontinuing several fruit and candy flavors that were favored by that demographic.
The FDA had ordered the company to remove its products from the market in June 2022, but quickly changed course after Juul pushed back in court.
The announcement is also not an approval or endorsement of Juul’s products, and the FDA reiterated that people who do not smoke should not use Juul or any other e-cigarettes.
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