January 1, FDA Reverses Juul Ban: Surprising Decision Amid Vape Controversies

In a surprising move today, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed their market denial order issued two years ago for products sold by Juul Labs, Inc.

The agency initially issued a ban on the vape products in June of 2022. This was due to insufficient evidence on whether or not the vape product adhered to federal public health standards, according to an FDA press release.

Their concern revolved around the “potentially harmful chemicals leaching from the company’s proprietary e-liquid pods.” However, e-cigarette products remained available for purchase. This was while awaiting an appeal that required additional review by the courts.

Since the initial ban in 2022, there have been multiple legal rulings on e-cigarette sales. Additionally, new research has emerged on the issues regarding vape usage. The FDA has denied multiple manufacturers who submitted pre-market tobacco product applications. On May 12, 2023, the agency denied ten applications from vape manufacturers. This resulted in a ban on an estimated total of 6,500 different e-cigarette products.

Juul Labs responded to the FDA decision. They said they “remain confident in the quality and substance of our applications.” The products will still be available for public consumption. The company reportedly lost significant investors and faced financial troubles during their ongoing legal and administrative obstacles.

Meanwhile, the Center for Disease Control noted that vape usage has spiked. There was an estimated 46% growth between 2020 and 2022. In one case, a 22-year-old needed a double lung transplant following consistent e-cigarette consumption. Health care professionals told him he only had a ‘1% chance of living’.

It’s important to note that the reversal of the market denial order does not signify that Juul products are authorized for sale. The FDA will continue to monitor updated information on the toxicological properties. This will determine whether the e-cigarettes will be allowed to stay on shelves.

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