Warning is part of a long-running FDA effort to combat a teen vaping crisis in the U.S., which has created a new generation of nicotine addicts.
Some e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers are selling illegal vaping products that are designed to look like Gameboys, smartphones and other electronic devices, which appeal to teens and make the e-cigarettes easier to hide from parents and teachers, according to federal regulators.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release on October 30, announcing that it has sent warning letters to nine different retailers and one manufacturer, indicating that their vaping products are illegal and a "flagrant attempt to target kids."
The disposable e-cigarette products resemble products with "smart technology," such as cell phones or gaming devices. However, the FDA indicates that these e-cigarettes are not approved for sale in the U.S., since they may encourage teens to vape and at higher rates.
The FDA has been working to address the rising rates of teen vaping in recent years, which has involved a crack down on the way the products are marketed, to avoid designs or fruity flavors that are intended to make vaping more appealing to non-smokers.
Prior research has linked candy-like and fruity vaping flavors to higher rates of vaping in teens, which eventually leads to a higher risk of smoking tobacco cigarettes. To increase their user base, some companies have also designed their products to make them easy-to-conceal.
A study published earlier this year indicates teens who vape disposable e-cigarettes are more likely to vape more frequently and become addicted to nicotine.
For years, the vaping product that was most popular among teens were JUUL devices, which look like USB drives that could easily be hidden from detection by underage users.
After the manufacturer aggressively marketed a variety of fruity and sweet JUUL flavors through social media influencers, the e-cigarette quickly became the most widely used among teens through the U.S., and have been blamed for fueling the teen vaping crisis, creating a new generation of Americans addicted to nicotine.