The FDA has granted approval for the first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers, authorizing four products from Njoy, recently acquired by Altria. This decision aims to support adult smokers in transitioning from traditional cigarettes, which are linked to 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
The FDA’s approval marks a significant endorsement for the vaping industry, which claims its products can reduce the harm caused by traditional smoking. Njoy’s menthol e-cigarettes include two reusable cartridge-based products and two disposables. However, parent groups and anti-tobacco advocates have criticized the move, fearing it may exacerbate youth vaping.“This decision could mean we’ll never be able to close the Pandora’s box of the youth vaping epidemic,” said Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes. Despite youth vaping declining, with about 10% of high schoolers using e-cigarettes last year, 90% of them favored flavors like menthol.
The FDA highlighted that Njoy’s e-cigarettes reduce smokers’ exposure to harmful chemicals but stressed they are neither safe nor “FDA approved” for non-smokers. This decision is part of the FDA’s broader review of the vaping market, with a deadline to conclude its evaluation of major brands like Juul and Vuse by the end of the month.“Based on our rigorous scientific review, the benefits to adult smokers from switching to a less harmful product outweighed the risks to youth,” stated Matthew Farrelly of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.
