The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned against the selling, promoting, and the use of Electronic Delivery Systems (ENDS) like vapes and other non-nicotine tobacco products for recreational purposes.

In a statement dated July 5, the FDA expressed concerns about the misuse of these products and emphasized the potential health risks, such as cancer, lung disease, infertility, heart disease, and diabetes.

The statement also mentions the possibility of registering ENDS as prescription-only medicine for cessation therapy.

In a statement dated July 5, the FDA expressed concerns about the misuse of these products and emphasized the potential health risks, such as cancer, lung disease, infertility, heart disease, and diabetes.

The statement also mentions the possibility of registering ENDS as prescription-only medicine for cessation therapy.

The FDA in its statement mentioned that ENDS can be registered as a prescription-only medicine for the purposes of cessation therapy.

“The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has noted with concern the sale, advertisement and recreational use of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) such as Vapes and other non-nicotine tobacco products by the public. ENDS can be registered as a prescription-only medicine for the purposes of cessation therapy. ENDS can be registered as a prescription-only medicine for the purposes of cessation therapy,” the FDA noted in its statement.

The FDA further warned that the sale and advertisement of vapes, and non-nicotine products are in violation of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851), as well as Regulation 16 of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2016 (L.I. 2247).

“Section 61 (2): A person shall not sell, display for sale, supply, advertise a non-tobacco product or service that contains, either on the product, or in an advertisement of the product, a writing, a picture, an image, graphics, message, or other matter that is commonly identified or associated with or is likely or intended or associated with a tobacco product, brand or manufacturer”.

The FDA issued a caution to manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers, instructing them to immediately remove all advertisements of ENDS from social media, billboards, and neon signs. Additionally, they are urged to refrain from importing such products.

“Manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers are therefore cautioned to pull down all advertisements on social media, billboards, neon signs etc with immediate effect and desist from the importation of illicit tobacco products into the country. Failure to adhere to the above sections and/or the tobacco control laws constitutes an offence for which sanctions may be imposed based on the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851).

Vapes are electronic devices, often powered by batteries, that allow users to inhale a vaporized liquid or solid substance through the mouth. Electronic cigarettes, in particular, typically consist of a small reservoir containing a liquid nicotine solution that is heated and vaporized, creating an aerosol mist for inhalation.