WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued first-warning letters to 55 merchants who they say sold e-cigarettes and other newly regulated other tobacco products (OTP) to minors. Included among the group were 15 convenience-store or travel-center operators.
The range of convenience retailers was vast, from major oils to independents, operating anywhere from Washington state to Pawtucket, R.I.
In a press release, officials said the Washington, D.C.-based agency, on its own or through contracts, conducts inspections in 56 states and territories. When inspectors find violations, the agency generally issues warning letters before it pursues enforcement actions, including civil, monetary penalties and “no tobacco sale” orders.
“We’re helping protect the health of America’s youth by enforcing restrictions that make it illegal to sell tobacco products to minors, including e-cigarettes, e-liquids and cigars. Retailers play a vital role in keeping harmful and addictive tobacco products out of the hands of children and we urge them to take that responsibility seriously,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “It’s clear from these initial compliance checks that there’s a need for strong federal enforcement of these important youth-access restrictions.”
Since 2009, the FDA has conducted more than 660,000 inspections of tobacco-product retail establishments, issued more than 48,900 warning letters to retailers for violating the law and initiated more than 8,290 civil, monetary penalty cases.
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