American Lung Association Responds to Juul Announcement to Remove Non-Tobacco and Non-Menthol-Based Flavored Pods

In response to an announcement from Juul that it would suspend all sales of its non-tobacco and non-menthol-based flavored pods pending FDA review, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer shared the following statement:

“Today’s announcement by Juul is an insufficient and ‘Hail Mary’ attempt at keeping its most popular flavors among youth – mint and menthol – on the market and addicting kids. Voluntary efforts by the tobacco industry have never been effective, which is why President Trump and HHS Secretary Azar were completely correct in their call to ‘clear the markets.’

“Flavored tobacco products attract and initiate kids to tobacco products. Removing flavored e-cigarettes is a critical step to address the youth e-cigarette epidemic, and must include mint and menthol, as 64% of youth report using mint and menthol e-cigarettes.

“Juul’s announcement today is a PR maneuver rather than a true step toward protecting the health America’s youth. The American Lung Association fully supports the Administration’s call for the Food and Drug Administration to ‘clear the markets’ of all flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol e-cigarettes.”