FDA Warns Cherry Hill Gas Station For Selling 'Youth-Appealing' E-Cigarettes

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Federal regulators formally warned a Cherry Hill gas station, accusing the business of selling illegal tobacco products that target children.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters this month to 189 retailers around the nation for selling Elf Bar and Esco Bars products, the agency announced Thursday. Both brands create disposable e-cigarettes that come in flavors "known to appeal to children," the agency said.

The FDA issued a warning June 15 to Valero (1823 Marlton Pike E, Cherry Hill), claiming the retailer sold Elf Bar products — specifically in the "Beach Day" and "Strawberry Ice Cream" vape flavors.

Additionally, two other businesses in or around Camden County received FDA warnings June 13 for selling Elf Bar products:

• Baba Food Mart (250 Sicklerville Rd., Unit A, Sicklerville)
• Kwick Mart (328 White Horse Pike, Clementon)

The official letters stemmed from a nationwide "retailer inspection blitz" from the past several weeks, cracking down on sales of unauthorized e-cigarettes, the FDA said. Elf Bar and Esco Bars are among the most popular brands in the United States that sell the products that have "high youth appeal," according to the agency.

"The FDA is prepared to use all of its authorities to ensure these, and other illegal and youth-appealing products, stay out of the hands of kids," FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf said in a news release. "We are committed to a multipronged approach using regulation, compliance and enforcement action and education to protect our nation’s youth."

To date, the FDA has authorized sales for 23 tobacco-flavored products and devices as the only e-cigarette items legal to sell in the United States. The federal agency generally sends warning letters the first time an inspection or investigation reveals a violation of the regulations. Recipients then have 15 working days to respond with the next steps they'll take to correct the violation and prevent future wrongdoing.

The FDA also sent more than 570 warning letters June 16 to firms for manufacturing, selling and/or distributing illegal tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. During that time, the agency also fined 12 e-cigarette manufacturers.