The U.S. House of Representatives will investigate four major e-cigarette makers about the health effects of their products amid tightening scrutiny over the vape industry, Reuters reported Aug. 21.
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to Altria Group Inc.-backed Juul Labs Inc., Fontem Ventures B.V., Japan Tobacco Inc. and British American Tobacco PLC's Reynolds American Inc., the report said.
Juul was asked in the letter sent if it has carried out or funded studies on the health consequences of using its products, as well as the effectiveness of its e-cigarette in helping users quit smoking, according to the report. The House committee also reportedly asked Juul if it has provided information to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
A separate House panel in July published internal Juul e-mails that were described as attempts to enter schools and market the products to teenagers, the news wire said.
On Aug. 19, Juul and Philip Morris USA Inc. were sued for allegedly violating racketeering laws to market e-cigarettes to the youth.
A Juul spokesperson said in a statement: "We share the committee's concerns about youth vaping and welcome the opportunity to share information about our aggressive, industry leading actions to combat youth usage and eliminate combustible cigarettes and our commitment to the PMTA (premarket tobacco application) process."
Fontem Ventures and Japan Tobacco issued similar responses, saying they welcome the initiative to ensure their vaping products are sold only to adults and that they are working to prevent youth access to these items.
British American Tobacco did not immediately respond to S&P Global Market Intelligence's requests for comment.
