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 A statement by Israel's Health Ministry said the Juul device was
banned because it contains nicotine at a concentration higher than
20 milligrams per millilitre and poses "a grave risk to public
health."
Since launching in 2015, the flash drive-sized vaping device has
transformed the market in the United States, where it now accounts
for nearly 70 percent of tracked e-cigarette sales. The company is
valued at $15 billion based on its most recent funding round,
according to venture capital database Pitchbook Inc.
In a statement Tuesday, Juul Labs Inc said it was “incredibly
disappointed” with what it called a “misguided” decision by the
Israeli government. The San Francisco company said it planned to
appeal the ban, adding that its devices provide smokers “a true
alternative to combustible cigarettes.”
The Israeli move was consistent with similar restrictions in Europe,
the ministry's statement said.
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The ban, which goes into effect in 15 days, was signed by Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also holds the health portfolio.
Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported in May that Juul e-cigarettes
were already available for purchase at 30 locations around the
country.
Juul says it targets adult smokers, but it has faced scrutiny over
the popularity of its products with teenagers.
In April the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a crackdown
on the sale of e-cigarettes and tobacco products to minors,
particularly those developed by Juul Labs.
(Writing by Dan Williams; editing by David Gregorio and Tom Brown)
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