FDA”s Move to OK First Menthol Vapes Is Big Mistake, Health Advocates Say

MONDAY, June 24, 2024 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration”s decision to authorize the first menthol-flavored e-cigarettes has drawn the the ire of health advocates who say the decision undermines efforts to end the youth vaping epidemic in America.

In its approval of four flavored vaping products made by Njoy, the agency defended its decision.

“Based upon our rigorous scientific review, in this instance, the strength of evidence of benefits to adult smokers from completely switching to a less harmful product was sufficient to outweigh the risks to youth,” Matthew Farrelly, director of the Office of Science in the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said in an agency news release announcing the authorization.

But that argument did not convince anti-tobacco groups and health advocates.

“The FDA’s decision today to authorize the sale of four menthol-flavored e-cigarettes made by Njoy — the first time the agency has authorized the sale of any flavored e-cigarettes — is deeply troubling given the extensive scientific evidence that menthol is a flavor that appeals to kids and the FDA’s repeated conclusions that flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol-flavored products, have driven youth e-cigarette use,” Yolonda Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement.

“The scientific evidence demonstrates that menthol is a flavor that appeals to kids, and the tobacco industry has a long history of using menthol flavoring to attract and addict kids. According to the CDC, tobacco companies add menthol to tobacco products to make them seem less harsh and more appealing to young people,” Richardson added.

Other anti-smoking experts agreed.

“On the heels of the administration refusing to finalize rules to prohibit menthol in cigarettes and all flavors in cigars, this decision is a missed opportunity for the FDA to do the right thing,” Lisa Lecasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said in a statement. “By authorizing the sale of menthol flavored e-cigarettes, including two disposable menthol e-cigarettes, the agency is continuing to allow Big Tobacco to addict yet another generation of youth to their products.”

Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, also expressed deep dismay with the decision.

“Given everything we know about how appealing flavored tobacco products are to children, the American Academy of Pediatrics is profoundly disappointed that the Food and Drug Administration has chosen to authorize several menthol-flavored e-cigarettes,” Hoffman said in a statement.