US: Congressman Warns About 'Juul' E-Cigarettes In Highland Park

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. stood outside a former vape shop in Highland Park Monday to call on the federal government to be more aggressive on regulating "Juuling," and protect teens and children from its harmful effects.
 

JUUL is a type of e-cigarette that has become increasingly popular among teenagers since its launch in 2015. While smoking rates among young people in their teens and 20s has been on a steady decline, the use of e-cigarettes as an alternative has soared in popularity. JUUL is increasingly popular and marketed to young people; it resembles a USB flash drive, can be charged in a computer and comes in kid-friendly flavors like "cream brulee," "fruit medley" and "cool cucumber."
 

Because the JUUL is so small, it can also be easily hid from parents.
 

The problem is JUUL is highly addictive. JUUL even advertises on its website that the device's liquid nicotine cartridge contains the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. A study done by the University of California, San Francisco last year found that teens who use e-cigarettes are exposed to at least five different dangerous chemicals and that fruit-flavored products produced significantly higher levels of certain cancer-causing chemicals.
 

Last summer, the FDA decided to delay a series of compliance deadlines for the makers of e-cigarettes. If the FDA hadn't made the decision, the makers of JUUL and other e-cigarette companies would have had to request approval from the FDA to sell their products starting this year, Pallone said.
 

The delay means JUUL and other e-cigarettes can stay on the market until 2022 without FDA oversight.
 

Earlier in March, Pallone sent this letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb voicing his concerns over the decision.
 

"This means that for over four more years these products will lack needed public health oversight, and will risk continued exposure to a new generation of youth," said Congressman Pallone.
 

"The availability of JUUL and e-cigarettes to youth is extremely troubling, and I am deeply concerned that FDA's delay of the final deeming rule will lead to more kids and teens using these harmful products and getting addicted to nicotine," he added.
 

Pallone is a Democratic Congressman who represents New Jersey's sixth Congressional district, which includes, but is not limited to, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Edison, Highland Park, Old Bridge, Matawan, Aberdeen, and even part of Middletown and as far south as Long Branch and Middletown.
 

Pallone chose to speak in Highland Park Monday because the town has been extremely aggressive when it comes to e-cigarettes. As Patch reported in 2016, Highland Park was the first town in New Jersey to fine vape shops if they are caught selling e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes to minors. Highland Park also makes any new vape shop that opens up in town pay a $600 licensing fee to pay for anti-smoking campaigns and programs to help people quit smoking.