FDA Authorizes First Fruit-Flavored E-Cigarettes for Adults From Los Angeles Company

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of mango and blueberry flavored e-cigarette pods along with two menthol varieties from an L.A.-based manufacturer. The products contain 5 percent tobacco-derived nicotine and will be sold under the names Gold, Sapphire, Classic Menthol and Fresh Menthol.

According to the FDA, the company's device access restriction technology, which requires online buyers to verify their identity with a government-issued ID and pair the device via Bluetooth to a smartphone, combined with marketing limits barring sales to anyone under 21, is expected to limit youth use effectively.

The agency stated in a press release that its scientific review found the applicant's technology and required marketing restrictions sufficiently mitigate youth access risks while the products can benefit adult smokers seeking to switch from combustible cigarettes.

The FDA has now authorized 45 e-cigarette products in total. The agency noted that more than 25 million Americans smoke cigarettes and that smoking remains the leading preventable cause of chronic disease and premature death in the U.S., accounting for about one in five deaths.

The FDA stated it will continue requiring strong evidence that such products benefit adult smokers seeking to quit. “By helping to prevent youth use, device access restrictions are a potential game changer,” the agency said.

The decision marks the first time the FDA has authorized fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. It follows the agency’s modification of its approach to flavored vapes earlier this year. During his first term, President Trump supported raising the tobacco purchase age to 21.

A study published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that FDA efforts during Trump’s first term to crack down on sales to minors and run public education campaigns prevented just under 450,000 young people from smoking.