FDA Implements Ban on E-Cigarette Flavors, Promises of Enforcement Action
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
By David Gaudet
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues its investigation of health risks associated with vaping, on Jan. 2, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented a ban on the sale of fruity-flavored cartridges for e-cigarettes.1 Companies that do not cease manufacture, distribution and/or sale of these now unauthorized products within 30 days of the ban-issue date risk FDA enforcement actions.2
As for products containing menthol and tobacco flavors, the FDA reserves the right to implement enforcement action if a manufacturer fails to take acceptable measures to prevent underage access to its digital presence, including branded website and websites where its products are sold. Manufacturers are also responsible for ensuring stores where its products are sold exercise adequate age-verification compliance. Read the FDA’s complete policy.
The newly enacted ban and related-requirements come as a federally-conducted survey of the country’s youth unmask the population’s use of tobacco-related products and its attraction to e-cigarette flavors, such as fruit and mint.
The FDA is committed to preventing underage-use and addiction to tobacco-related products. As such, The BARS Program will continue to monitor nationwide vaping-related developments. If you have questions or want to engage in BARS’ compliance-training to ensure the lawful sale of tobacco and alcohol in your area, please contact us at customerservice@barsprogram.com or call 1-877-540-5500. Visit www.barsprogram.com to learn more about The BARS Program.
1 The Wall Street Journal, FDA to Ban All E-Cigarette Pod Flavors Except Tobacco and Menthol; Jan. 1, 2020
2 The Food and Drug Administration website
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