CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Responding to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA's) recent efforts to curb the reported increase in young people vaping, the head of one of the country’s larger electronic-cigarette brands, blu, recently posted a YouTube video supporting the agency’s efforts but also bringing up the “right to make adult choices.”
Like many companies responding to the agency’s recent efforts, the company “is in total agreement” with the FDA that “kids should not be vaping product, flavored or not,” said Richard Hill, CEO of Fontem Ventures, Charlotte, N.C., the maker of the blu e-cigarette brand.
At the same time, Hill noted the company’s 10-year history with vaping and its mission to provide adult smokers with choices but also having “tight control to make sure blu is enjoyed by adults.”
Sharing what he said were measures communicated to the FDA in a meeting last October, Hill said its effort to keep minors from vaping included product packaging and design, the flavors it offers, where it sells products, how they verify age and how they communicate to their customers.
In developing their product, Hill said the company believes in providing a “great product experience” and understands the importance of availability and having product “where and when you want it.”
He said the company will continue to “fight … to help you make the life choices you want and keeping kids out of harm’s way. [We will] protect your right to choose a better alternative.”
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