Critics decry approval by FDA for sale of e-cigarette products in US

WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has given the green light for the sale of e-cigarette products, thereby allowing vaping products made by R.J. Reynolds to be sold in the United States.

"While today's action permits the tobacco products to be sold in the U.S., it does not mean these products are safe or 'FDA approved. All tobacco products are harmful and addictive and those who do not use tobacco products should not start," the agency stated.

The FDA confirmed to have not given R.J. Reynolds the go-ahead for the sale of ten flavored products, though steered clear of divulging further details about them.

The three products granted the agency's authorization have tobacco flavoring. However, the FDA pointed to a lesser likelihood of the child and teenager populace being drawn to them and a greater probability of being used by existing smokers.

"Today's authorizations are an important step toward ensuring that all new tobacco products undergo the FDA's robust, scientific premarket evaluation," FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller noted, as reported by CNN.

"The manufacturer's data demonstrates its tobacco-flavored products could benefit addicted adult smokers who switch to these products -- either completely or with a significant reduction in cigarette consumption -- by reducing their exposure to harmful chemicals," he stated.

However, approving e-cigarette products was criticized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which has campaigned to eradicate tobacco products.

"While it is a positive step that the FDA denied applications for 10 flavored Vuse e-cigarettes, it is concerning that a product that has three times the nicotine concentration as legally permitted in Canada, the UK and Europe, was authorized. Vuse products with this level of nicotine leaves our nation's youth at an undue risk of addiction," Matthew L. Myers, the campaign's CEO, stated, according to CNN.