In: Operations Management
1. How is Juul working with the FDA to limit access to Juul’s products by teenagers?
JUUL (pronounced as Jewel) is a new alternative to cigarettes and is a vaping device and e-cigarette. The e-cigarettes contain nicotine along with chemical including flavoring chemicals. JUUL looks like a USB device. As it can be concealed easily, it can be used even in restricted areas like schools and public spaces. It is also charged via the USB socket. The nicotine salts in the vaping device are absorbed fast in the body and do not cause lung and chest irritation that the combustible cigarettes do. JUUL also has more nicotine content (up to 2 times) when compared to other e-cigarettes and hence is more prone to cause addiction.
JUUL has adopted the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health
Administration) standards and uses chemicals following the
requirements. It also has a committee for safety evaluation for
reviewing the materials added to the products. The company performs
testing for adverse effects like toxicity from time to time. The
supplier list is also scrutinized to ensure that the product
quality is consistent and quality standards are followed.
FDA is also taking certain measures to restrict the spread of
nicotine addiction. For instance, it has the campaign to ensure
that the sale of JUUL is prohibited for the minors. JUUL is also
collaborating with the agency in other areas. For instance, JUUL
labs have responded to the FDA request of submitting documents,
which will help the regulatory agency know why the product is
attractive for the youth and its toxicological, psychological,
behavioral and health effects. JUUL has been proactive in
recognizing the tobacco control and prevention programs and has
also started discussing the issue with the stakeholders. The
company has voluntarily implemented certain plans and programs to
ensure that the underage does not get access to the cigarettes and
to ensure that the product does not appeal to minors. Some of the
actions taken by JUUL in this regard are:
a. Exiting social media.
b. Restricting flavors to ensure that minors do not find the
product appealing.
c. Online age verification.
d. Implementation of the retail access control standards. The
company also has a mystery shopper program to ensure
compliance.
e. Suspension of advertising of the vapor on digital, print and
other channels.
f. Supporting the Tobacco 21 legislation that aims at restricting
the sale of tobacco products to individuals aged 21 years and
more.