FDA warns e-cigarette companies about products that look like toys and are intended for children

(A hill) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday issued warning letters to several e-cigarette companies for packaging their products that look like toys and appeal to children.

The FDA criticized five relatively unknown companies — Wizman Limited, Shenzhen Fumot Technology, Shenzhen Quawins Technology, Ruthless Vapor and Moti Global — for selling e-cigarettes designed to look like, or imitate, glowing Nintendo Game Boys and walkie-talkies products such as popsicles.

The companies also sell e-cigarettes featuring characters from The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Squidward Game, Rick and Morty, Minions and Baby Bus, some of which are sold in TV series. to children, according to the FDA.

“The design of these products is an absolutely egregious attempt to target children,” Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said in a statement. “It’s hard to imagine that adults using e-cigarettes to quit smoking need a cartoon character emblazoned on the front of the product to do so successfully.”

However, FDA warnings have had limited impact in the past. Wizman previously received a warning letter in 2020 over its product that imitated the Nintendo Game Boy — one of the same products that Wizman was penalized for again in Wednesday’s letter.