The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted authorization on Friday for Juul Labs' Juul2 e‑cigarette and its tobacco‑ and menthol‑flavored pods. The application, filed in 2023, was supported by "tens of thousands of pages of scientific evidence" and builds on the company's original Juul System authorization from July 2025.
Six‑week switching data showed that 19.9% to 34.6% of adult smokers using the tobacco‑flavored pod completely switched from combustible cigarettes, while the menthol pod achieved a 28.4% to 49.3% complete switch rate. The approved pods contain 18 mg/mL nicotine, equivalent to a 1.5%‑1.6% concentration.
Juul2 is marketed with several technical upgrades, including more consistent vapor and nicotine delivery, advanced thermal technology, a Pod ID chip to deter counterfeit pods, and a smartphone app that tracks device usage for users aged 21 and older. Pods are assembled and filled in facilities in Tennessee and Wisconsin, using e‑liquids produced in Maryland.
Juul Labs remains a privately held vapor company and is the only major U.S.‑based vaping firm not owned or invested in by a cigarette manufacturer. The FDA concluded that the adult‑smoking cessation benefit of the menthol‑flavored product outweighs potential youth‑appeal risks.
