'Youth-Appealing' E-Cigs Illegally Sold At South Jersey Stores: FDA

SOUTH JERSEY — Several South Jersey stores recently received formal warnings for selling illegal tobacco products that target children, according to federal regulators.

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 warned the following local businesses for selling Elf Bar products:

• Baba Food Mart (250 Sicklerville Rd., Unit A, Sicklerville), issued June 13
• Kwick Mart (328 White Horse Pike, Clementon), issued June 13
• Valero (1823 Marlton Pike E, Cherry Hill), issued June 15

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.