FDA authorizes sale of first menthol e-cigarettes for adults, citing potential health benefits

The Food and Drug Administration has made a groundbreaking decision to authorize the sale of the first menthol e-cigarettes for adults, marking a significant endorsement of manufacturers’ claims that these products can help reduce the health risks associated with traditional cigarette smoking.

This move comes as the FDA continues its broad review of the vaping industry, with a focus on the potential benefits and risks of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation tools. The agency’s decision covers four products from NJOY Holdings, which were acquired by tobacco giant Altria last year. These products include sealed, non-refillable pods and disposable e-cigarettes with a non-refillable reservoir.

While the authorization allows these products to be legally sold in the U.S., the FDA emphasizes that it does not mean they are completely safe or “FDA approved.” However, a scientific review of the NJOY products showed that the benefits to adult smokers from completely switching to a less harmful product outweigh the risks to youth, according to Matthew Farrelly, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.

Despite this endorsement, anti-smoking groups have criticized the decision, arguing that flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol products, have contributed to a youth vaping epidemic. Yolonda Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, called for increased enforcement efforts against illegal products that are addicting young people.

This announcement comes on the heels of the FDA rescinding a marketing ban on Juul e-cigarettes earlier this month, citing new case law and updated information from the company. The agency had previously blocked the sale of Juul products in 2022 due to concerns about harmful chemicals leaching from the company’s e-liquid pods.

The Biden administration has also faced criticism for repeatedly delaying a ban on menthol tobacco products, which are heavily marketed to the Black community and young people. With menthol products comprising more than one-third of U.S. tobacco sales, the debate over their regulation continues to be a contentious issue in the public health sphere.