FDA Unilaterally Bans Juul E-Cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that it is banning the sale of Juul e-cigarettes in the U.S.

Juul intends to seek a stay on the decision and is exploring options, which include appealing the decision or engaging with the FDA, Chief Regulatory Officer Joe Murillo said in a statement.

The ban is part of the FDA's broader review of the vaping industry following years of pressure from politicians and public health groups to regulate the segment as strictly as other tobacco products after vaping became more common among high schoolers.

Juul had sought approval from the agency for its vaping device and tobacco- and menthol-flavored pods, which are available at 5% and 3% nicotine strengths. The flavors were not subject to a 2020 agency ban on mint- and fruit-flavored vaping products that were popular with teens.

A ban on the sale of those remaining products by Juul would deal a hefty blow to the company. Juul's international expansion efforts have been hamstrung by regulations and a lack of consumer interest. The U.S. remains its largest market.