The Food and Drug Administration said on Friday that it had approved the first menthol-flavored e-cigarettes in the United States, less than two months after the Biden administration delayed a fiercely contested decision on whether to ban traditional menthol cigarettes.
said it had authorized four types of menthol-flavored e-cigarettes made by NJOY, part of the tobacco company Altria, making them the first flavored e-cigarettes that can be sold legally in the United States.
said that evidence indicated that they could benefit adult smokers who want to transition to a “less harmful product.”Public health groups sharply criticized the decision, warning that e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products were especially appealing to young people.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids pointed out that, according to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, nearly a quarter of high school students who use e-cigarettes use illicit menthol-flavored varieties, which are often easy to find in gas stations and corner stores.
Persons:
Biden, NJOY
Organizations:
Drug Administration, Tobacco, Tobacco Survey
Locations:
United States