FDA Authorizes JUUL2 Device and Tobacco- and Menthol-Flavored Pods

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the JUUL2 device plus one tobacco-flavored and one menthol-flavored pod through its premarket tobacco-product pathway. Both pods contain 18 mg/mL nicotine, and the agency said studies found 19.9–34.6% of tobacco-pod users and 28.4–49.3% of menthol-pod users had stopped smoking cigarettes entirely after six weeks. The agency concluded potential benefits for adult smokers who switch completely outweighed the risks, including youth appeal, while warning that dual use does not provide the same benefit. The orders permit marketing under restrictions and monitoring, but do not mean the products are FDA approved; the agency may suspend or withdraw them.