FDA Rules Nicotine Water Illegal
WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration ruled Tuesday that water laced with nicotine is illegal, ending a California company's bid to begin selling bottles later this month, The Associated Press reports.
The decision comes as no surprise since the FDA ordered nicotine-laced lollipops and lip balm off the market last April, calling them unapproved drugs that had enough nicotine to endanger children lured by the candy resemblance.
NicoWater, the name given to the beverage touted as a "refreshing break to the smoking habit," was being promoted as a dietary supplement, and the FDA isn't allowed to regulate supplements nearly as strictly as it does medications, the AP reports.
Since nicotine is legally sold in FDA-approved smoking cessation aids, federal law prohibits it also being sold as a dietary supplement, FDA lawyers concluded Tuesday.
A spokesman for manufacturer QT5 Inc. said it remained confident that its water met the definition of a dietary supplement, but couldn't immediately say if it will challenge FDA's ruling, according to the AP.
The decision comes as no surprise since the FDA ordered nicotine-laced lollipops and lip balm off the market last April, calling them unapproved drugs that had enough nicotine to endanger children lured by the candy resemblance.
NicoWater, the name given to the beverage touted as a "refreshing break to the smoking habit," was being promoted as a dietary supplement, and the FDA isn't allowed to regulate supplements nearly as strictly as it does medications, the AP reports.
Since nicotine is legally sold in FDA-approved smoking cessation aids, federal law prohibits it also being sold as a dietary supplement, FDA lawyers concluded Tuesday.
A spokesman for manufacturer QT5 Inc. said it remained confident that its water met the definition of a dietary supplement, but couldn't immediately say if it will challenge FDA's ruling, according to the AP.