For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration will allow for the marketing of non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, stating that the benefits outweigh the risks of the newly approved products.
The FDA granted authorization on Friday to Njoy for four menthol-flavored e-cigarette products, which is owned by tobacco giant Altria. This decision comes as the FDA contemplates a ban on traditional menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.
The FDA has mentioned that flavors are added to tobacco products to enhance taste by reducing harshness, bitterness, and astringency.
The agency conducts a case-by-case review of applications, and in Njoy’s case, concluded that there was enough evidence to support the marketing of the products for the protection of public health. The approval aims to decrease the number of people who smoke traditional cigarettes.
Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, Brian King, stated, “This action is further reinforcement that authorization of an e-cigarette product is possible when sufficient scientific evidence has been submitted to the agency to justify it.”
The FDA clarified that the authorization does not indicate that these products are safe or FDA approved. The agency will monitor data closely and could revoke authorization if there is a noticeable increase in the use of the products among youth or former smokers.
It is yet to be determined whether this authorization will reduce the number of smokers using menthol cigarettes or if it will lead to increased vaping.
Last year, the University of Pittsburgh released findings indicating that adding menthol flavoring produces more vapor particles and is linked to worse lung function.
Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Kambez H. Benam, advised, “Switching to e-cigarettes may be a better, safer alternative for someone trying to quit smoking regular tobacco products. But it’s important to have full knowledge of e-cigarettes’ risks and benefits before trying them.”
The American Lung Association expressed disapproval of the FDA’s decision on Friday, calling for the removal of all flavored tobacco products from the market.
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