The FDA, on Thursday, warned e-cigarette companies like Juul to prove in the next 60 days that  they are capable of keeping their products out of the hands of underaged users. If the companies do not comply, their products will no longer be sold.

In recent months, the FDA has sent out undercover specialists to convenience stores and gas stations to see how many do not uphold the law of not selling to underaged consumers.

In the short time, the FDA has sent out 40 letters to retailers warning them of the consequences of selling to those who are underaged. The law states that you must be at least 18 years old (21 in some areas of the US) in order to buy nicotine or tobacco products.

According to a Monitoring the Future survey, 19% of 12th graders and 16 % of 10th graders have smoked a nicotine device in the past year. Adults use them because they still feel the effects of  the nicotine, which are similar to an actual cigarette. Teens, however, feel the nicotine and the ¨buzz¨ given off. They are more likely to stick with it and become addicted very easily.

With nicotine being so addictive, many teens are becoming dependent on it as time progresses. However the easy access for teens is making these devices a gateway for addiction in young teens.

“I get my pods from a local convenience store. The first time I asked, the worker gave me the pods without even second guessing, no id, nothing,” stated a 16 year old teen student who is not being identified.  

This particular teen is a Juul smoker. “I use my Juul regularly. It hits really strong and tastes good. Whenever I´m bored or stressed I pull it out and start ripping it for a buzz. Nothing serious.¨

Today’s teens are  hooked on nicotine. The chemicals in the devices are drawing teens in without them realizing it.

The chemicals are not as apparent in devices like these. Teens see all these kid friendly flavors like mango or fruit flavored and are drawn into the flavor. They don’t instantly feel the effects of the chemicals they are inhaling. They just taste the flavors and feel the nicotine buzz.

The FDA is warning retailers and underaged consumers to open the eyes of the public to the power of nicotine addiction.