FDA’s Delay on Juul and other Tobacco Products Puts U.S. Kids at Risk

In response to the court-ordered September 9, 2021 deadline passing without any decisions on Juul and many other tobacco products, the American Lung Association’s President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement in response:

“The American Lung Association is deeply disappointed that FDA allowed Juul and many other products that clearly are targeted at youth to remain on the market after today’s court-ordered deadline. These remaining products are illegal and should be immediately removed from the marketplace.  

“It is urgent that the Biden Administration follow the science and act to remove all remaining flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from the marketplace. The harm these products cause to youth shows that they fail to meet the Tobacco Control Act’s public health standard. Every day that these extremely addictive products remain on the market our kids are at risk. 

“While we were encouraged by FDA’s previous announcement that it would require tens of thousands of flavored e-cigarettes to be removed from the marketplace, the delay of decisions on products with such a high percentage of market share among kids is very troubling. Ending the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes products, including menthol, is the clear path to end the youth vaping epidemic.

“We cannot afford further delay. The Lung Association urges Congress and state and local governments to take action and end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.”

The Lung Association has resources to prevent tobacco use and help youth quit, specifically designed for schools, parents and teens, including Get Your Head Out of the Cloud, and our Vape-Free Schools Initiative as well as more resources available online. 

For media interested in speaking with an expert, contact the American Lung Association at [email protected] or at 312-940-7001.