The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 10 the creation of a multi-agency task force to curb the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarettes, which will involve the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Trade Commission.

"Unauthorized e-cigarettes and vaping products continue to jeopardize the health of Americans – particularly children and adolescents – across the country," said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. "This interagency Task Force is dedicated to protecting Americans by combatting the unlawful sale and distribution of these products."

To date, only 23 specific tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices have been authorized by the FDA to be lawfully marketed and sold in the U.S. The agency has also issued more than 1,100 warning letters to manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers for illegally selling and/or distributing unauthorized new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Read the FDA news release.

Clinical Topics: Prevention, Smoking

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, United States Food and Drug Administration, Vaping, Tobacco Products