FDA Authorizes First Fruit-Flavored E-Cigarettes for Adult Smokers

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized its first fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers, marking a significant policy change after months of appeals from the vaping industry to President Trump.

Health groups and parent organizations will likely oppose the decision. They have long blamed flavors for driving underage vaping in the U.S. The federal action arrives as teen vaping rates have fallen to a 10-year low, and manufacturers have urged the Republican administration to ease restrictions on their products.

Vaping companies argue their products can reduce smoking's toll among adults, which causes 480,000 U.S. deaths each year from cancer, lung disease and heart disease. Battery-powered e-cigarettes have been available in the U.S. since 2007, but youth uptake among middle and high school students has overshadowed their potential benefits for years.

The authorized products from Los Angeles-based Glas Inc. include mango, blueberry and two menthol varieties, marketed as Gold, Sapphire, Classic Menthol and Fresh Menthol, according to the FDA release.

The FDA had previously approved only tobacco or menthol-flavored vaping products. Most authorized e-cigarettes come from big manufacturers like Juul and Altria.

Tuesday's announcement does not amount to full approval or endorsement. The FDA stressed that the Glas products are meant only for adults trying to quit or reduce cigarette use.

The agency cited the company's digital age-verification system as a safeguard against youth access. Users verify their age with a government ID on their cellphone, and the devices work only when connected via Bluetooth to that verified phone.

The FDA's approval of fruit flavors will serve as "a key test case," said Kathy Crosby of the Truth Initiative, an anti-tobacco nonprofit.

"Ultimately, it's critical that we remain vigilant in protecting young people, including closely monitoring the use of authorized products," Crosby said in an emailed statement.

In a press release, the FDA said it "will closely monitor how these products are marketed and will act appropriately if the company fails to comply with any applicable statutory or regulatory requirements. The FDA may suspend or withdraw authorization if the agency determines that continued marketing of the authorized products is no longer appropriate for the protection of the public health, including if there is a notable increase in use of the products among youth, or evidence that the benefits of the products no longer outweigh the risks."

As a presidential candidate, Trump pledged to "save" vaping and gained support from e-cigarette companies, shop owners and enthusiasts.

Under President Joe Biden, the FDA rejected more than a million applications for candy- or fruit-flavored products as part of a crackdown that helped lower teen vaping after a 2019 surge. In his first term, Trump imposed the initial flavor restrictions on e-cigarettes and raised the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21.

Vaping and tobacco policies have taken a backseat under FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who has prioritized restricting COVID-19 vaccines, phasing out artificial food dyes and accelerating approval of some new drugs.

Groups like the Vapor Technology Association have recently met with administration officials to push for more action on flavors.

In March, the FDA issued its first guidance to industry on flavors. It stated that menthol, coffee, mint and spice could appeal to adult smokers, while sweeter options like fruit, candy and dessert flavors pose greater risks for teens.

Most U.S. teens who vape still use unauthorized fruit- and candy-flavored products, per the latest government data. Those items are illegal but widely available in inexpensive disposables often imported from China.