FDA is continuing to pursue their powerful efforts to handle epidemic for the use of electronic cigarettes within the youth in relation to Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan.
Imposing Agencies
Both the Food and Drug Administration or FDA and the Federal Trade Commission or FTC of the United States take their measures in child welfare and protection. This pertain to four companies that sell flavored e-juices or e-liquids through social media influencers. These agencies issued warning letters to these four companies that are manufacturing, advertising and selling their flavored e-liquids products. The companies commit violations in relation to online postings which includes non-inclusion of the nicotine warning statement.
Warning letters given to these firms are just a part of the Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan of the FDA. This program for the youth aims to restrict the access of the youth to all products related to tobacco which includes the usage of electronic cigarettes and their e-juices products like candy king vape juice for example.
The Measures of FDA and FTC
Based on research, numbers of youth who are unaware of the danger and presence of nicotine in e-cigarettes are growing. Battling with the use of tobacco by the youth generation has been threatened by the e-cigs bandwagon among kids. To eradicate this, the agencies ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers include the necessary health warnings. The warning must emphasize the nicotine properties related to addiction and it must be obvious on packages and even on all sources of advertisement including the social media as media is the bridge of market and product.
Moreover, in addressing this dilemma of youth epidemic, the measures of the FDA includes restriction of youth access to flavored e-liquid. In addition, they will also take action counter to manufacturers and sellers who put these products on the illegal commerce or offer them to minors. Also included is the youth education on the perils of e-cigarettes and tobacco.
The FDA identified that the e-liquid products of these four companies are labeled and posted in social media on their behalf. However, the products posted are misbranded because they do not bear the required health warning statement that it has nicotine and is, therefore, addictive. FDA, together with the voluntary act of the FTC, send the warning letters which is covered by the Section 5 of Federal Trade Commission Act. This pertains to the prohibition of deceptive advertising of products.
