A group of eight U.S. Democratic senators, led by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), has sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Martin Makary questioning the agency's recent decision to grant marketing granted orders (MGOs) for the JUUL System. The MGOs, issued in mid-July, allow Juul Labs Inc. to keep its tobacco and menthol-flavored nicotine vapor products on the market in both 5% and 3% nicotine concentrations.
In their letter, the senators argue that JUUL is the brand that "ignited the youth vaping 'epidemic' and is responsible for addicting millions of children to nicotine." They contend that the FDA's decision fails to meet the high public health standard required by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which places the burden on manufacturers to prove their product will help current smokers quit and that these benefits outweigh the risks of youth initiation.
The lawmakers highlighted that Juul Labs has reached settlement agreements totaling over $1.1 billion with 48 states and territories regarding its marketing practices. They also expressed deep concern over the FDA's reversal of its original June 2022 marketing denial order for JUUL products.
The letter raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, noting, "we are deeply troubled by the appearance of conflicts of interest between the Trump administration and the e-cigarette industry." They specifically pointed out that President Trump's former counselor for public health and science now leads Juul's federal lobbying operation, and also called out ties between other tobacco companies and the White House chief of staff's lobbying firm.
- To read the full letter, click here.
- News source: Federal Lawmakers Question FDA's Decision on JUUL System
