Following countless alarming media reports and mounting public pressure, the FDA has been infamously cracking down on Juul labs. Last September, the agency issued more than 1,000 warning letters to U.S. retailers and manufacturers of e-cigarettes, amongst which Juul, in what the agency called “the largest coordinated enforcement effort in the FDA’s history.”
In the letters, the agency demanded that these companies present proof that they can keep the nicotine-containing products out of the hands of minors, within 60 days. Should they fail to do so, the FDA may ban candy-like flavors, such as bubble gum and crème brûlée, that may be particularly appealing to this age group.
FDA’s crackdown of the e-cig manufacturer
Therefore it comes as no surprise that the San Francisco-based e-cig manufacturer has been investing in expanding overseas. According to the Handelszeitung newspaper, Juul Labs Switzerland is listed on the commercial register external link as a producer, distributor or exporter for the retail and wholesale trade of electronic cigarettes and accessories, and is being managed by law firm Jacob Bollag. Switzerland is amongst the 13 countries which have not endorsed the WHO’s FCTC, partly due to regulations related to advertising.
Juul Labs valued at $15 billion
Earlier this year Juul Labs disclosed that it was investing $1.2 million to expand in overseas markets. It started by launching its small flash drive-sized vaping device in the United Kingdom in July, following which the e-cig manufacturer announced the launch of its device in Canada. This expansion is thought to equate to the company being valued at $15 billion.
Read Further: SWI
