US FDA under fire from health advocates in first approval of menthol vape products

Public health advocates expressed disappointment after a recent decision by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorise the sale of several menthol vaping products – including two menthol disposable e-cigarettes – made by Njoy, a subsidiary of tobacco giant Altria. Critics of the decision accused the federal agency of failing to protect youth and undermining efforts to end the youth vaping epidemic in the US.

After reviewing the company’s premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs), the FDA determined that evidence demonstrating these menthol-flavoured products could aid adult smokers in completely switching from traditional cigarettes was sufficient to outweigh the risks associated with youth appeal. The decision marks the first authorisation of non-tobacco-flavoured e-cigarette products by the federal agency.