Wellness vaping products are under scrutiny.
WASHINGTON — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a consumer warning some days ago suggesting that vaping brands marketed as wellness products should be controlled and regulated.
“[The] Food and Drug Administration wants consumers to know certain “wellness” vaping products containing vitamins and/or essential oils are being illegally sold with unproven claims and could be harmful if used,” notes the FDA in a recent warning. “Currently, no vaping products are approved by the FDA to prevent or treat any health conditions or diseases.”
This warning arises at a time when vaping has impacted several consumer product industries, including wellness supplements and essential oils.
“Some vaping products are being illegally offered for sale with unproven health or wellness claims, including improving mental clarity or treating tumors or asthma,” adds the FDA. The agency notes that some of these claims suggest that certain wellness vaping products have “been used as a [sic] organic asthma remedy, ADHD remedy, and dementia treatment,” or that these products could “help prevent a type of anemia.”
FDA notes that claims like these are unproven.
These products could even be “ineffective, a waste of money, unsafe, and may prevent or delay you from seeking an appropriate diagnosis and treatment from a health care professional.”
According to the FDA, the agency has issued several warning letters to companies that pursue illegal marketing in this fashion.
These companies and their products are potentially subject to civil and criminal enforcement actions imposed by the FDA and, if applicable, the US Department of Justice.
A warning letter issued by the FDA to a company that markets a caffeine energy pen is just one example of enforcement threats.
“Inhaled products can be dangerous and even may trigger severe coughing, cause airway tightening, and make speaking and breathing difficult,” adds the FDA.
“Also, there’s no way to know if these vaping products making health claims contain ingredients or impurities that may cause or make these symptoms worse, or cause permanent damage.”
