ASCO Applauds FDA Decision Removing Juul Products from U.S. Market

Statement By Lori J. Pierce, MD, FASTRO, FASCO, Board Chair, Association for Clinical Oncology
June 23, 2022

UPDATE: Juul filed an emergency appeal after FDA banned its products in the U.S. The company is currently allowed to sell its products until a federal court reviews the ban. Watch this space for further updates. 

“The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) applauds the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to remove Juul products from the market in the United States (U.S.). This is an important step in preventing another generation from becoming addicted to nicotine—regardless of how it is delivered.”  

“Juul was among the top brands used by high school and middle school students who regularly vape according to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which also found that more than 2 million U.S. children and teenagers used e-cigarettes last year. This is particularly troubling in light of ASCO’s 2019 National Cancer Opinion Survey finding that nearly one in four young adults believes e-cigarettes are harmless and not addictive despite Surgeon General warnings to the contrary. We know that e-cigarettes contain addictive and harmful ingredients including nicotine, lead, and other heavy metals.”

“Many gaps remain in our understanding of the acute and long-term health effects of e-cigarettes, but the harms of nicotine addiction are well-characterized, particularly on the young. Therefore, based on what we do know about e-cigarettes and their use among young people, we commend FDA for its action today. ASCO will continue to work with FDA, state and federal lawmakers, and other stakeholders to advance policies that curb youth e-cigarette use.”