The Federal Trade Commission on Oct. 3 said it is seeking information from six e-cigarette manufacturers regarding the sales and advertising methods of their products.
The U.S. agency sent orders seeking information to Juul Labs Inc., R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co., Fontem US Inc., Logic Technology Development LLC, NJOY LLC and Nu Mark LLC, which is owned by Altria Group Inc.
The FTC asked the companies to submit special reports that include data on the sales of e-cigarette products, characteristics of the companies' e-cigarette products, such as product flavors, as well as advertising expenses for e-cigarettes.
The new study will complement similar FTC studies on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, the agency said in a statement. The companies are required to submit the data for the years 2015-2018 by Jan. 2, 2020.
"The goal is to assist the commission, policymakers, and the public to better understand the rapidly growing e-cigarette market," the FTC said.
An Altria spokesperson said the company will comply with the FTC order. Altria's Nu Mark discontinued its products in December 2018.
Japan Tobacco Inc., which owns Logic Technology, said in an emailed statement that it has received the order from the FTC and is reviewing it.
"Regulators have rightly focused their attention on Juul's marketing activity, which in no way is reflective of our own strict marketing principles. Logic has always communicated responsibly about its products, such as having health warnings on advertising and age-verification on our website," the company said, adding that it looks forward to continuing its dialogue with the FTC.
Juul Labs and NJOY did not immediately respond to requests for comment. R.J. Reynolds, owned by British American Tobacco PLC, and Fontem, owned by Imperial Brands PLC, could not be immediately reached.
The FTC inquiry comes as the e-cigarette industry faces growing scrutiny in the U.S. amid an increase in youth vaping and a deadly outbreak of lung illnesses tied to vaping.
As of Sept. 24, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 805 lung injury cases from the use of e-cigarette or vaping products and confirmed at least 12 deaths.
States and cities including New York, Michigan, Massachusetts and Chicago have banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. Meanwhile, the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state health officials are investigating the outbreak of lung illnesses.
Altria-backed Juul Labs also is being investigated by the FTC over its marketing practices.
