Juul Labs, the dominant e-cigarette company, Violated Federal regulations by selling its Vaping Products as a safe alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes without approval from the Food and Drug Administration, the agency said in a warning letter on Monday. From a report: The F.D.A. issued its warning amid a public health crisis over more than 400 cases of vaping-related lung illnesses that have hospitalized many young teenagers and adults, and possibly five deaths. Public health investigators have yet to determine a specific cause, but have cited the use of both cannabis-related and nicotine vaping products from a number of companies as possible suspects. The agency's warning letter to Juul follows a lengthy inquiry into the company's marketing and sales practices, as well as a review of congressional testimony from Juul executives, consumers -- including students and parents -- and antismoking advocates. Under federal law, companies are not permitted to market products as safer than cigarettes or a safe alternative without proving those claims to the F.D.A.

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