On December 20, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took decisive action against the sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes that closely resemble alcohol packaging. The FDA’s enforcement targeted three online retailers distributing e-cigarette products under the brand name “Luckee Vape Daniels.” These products, flavored to mimic popular alcoholic drinks, have raised concerns due to their potential appeal to young consumers.
The flavors offered by these e-cigarettes include icy pina colada, frozen strawberry daiquiri, frozen mangorita, and watermelon martini. The FDA’s concern stems from the resemblance of these vape products to bottles of alcohol, which may increase their allure to a younger audience.
Recent data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey highlights the popularity of disposable e-cigarettes among U.S. middle and high school students. Among current youth e-cigarette users, about 90% reported using flavored products. Fruit flavors are the most popular, with 63.4% of users opting for them, while around 7.2% reported using e-cigarettes with alcoholic drink flavors.
Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, emphasized the agency’s commitment to removing unauthorized tobacco products from the market. “FDA is dedicated to acting across the supply chain, including among retailers, to eliminate these unauthorized products,” King stated. He further mentioned that the FDA would continue monitoring the online marketplace to identify and address emerging products of concern.
This enforcement action by the FDA underscores the ongoing efforts to regulate the e-cigarette market, particularly focusing on products that might appeal to youth and potentially encourage underage vaping.
