Feds warn e-cigarette liquid firms

U.S. officials are intensifying their crackdown on e-cigarette products that they say are geared to entice children.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission sent letters Tuesday to 13 companies that make and sell the liquids used in e-cigarettes, warning them over their use of false and misleading labeling and advertising. The nicotine products resemble juice boxes, whip-cream canisters and well-known candy and cookie packages such as Sour Patch Kids and Nilla Wafers.

Forty warning letters were sent last week to retailers that sold children Juul e-cigarettes.

The FDA has given e-cigarette makers extra time to comply with certain e-cigarette regulations and is attempting to rein in use by young people while it learns more about the products.

Anti-smoking advocates have criticized the agency for not moving to ban flavors in tobacco products. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has said he wants to take a balanced approach to help adults who enjoy the flavors switch from regular cigarettes to vaping.

According to National Poison Data System data, there were 8,269 e-cigarette and liquid-nicotine exposures among children younger than 6 between January 2012 and April 2017.

One warning letter sent Tuesday went to Las Vegasbased Omnia E-Liquid, which sells colorfully packaged Twirly Pop e-liquid online that’s delivered with a multicolor lollipop. Accidental ingestion of half a teaspoon might be enough to kill the average 2-year-old, the letter said. A package of e-liquid nicotine, left, and regular juice boxes