The FDA initially ordered the company to stop selling its products in 2022, but they remained on shelves pending an appeal. Now, the FDA says Juul’s products are being reviewed by the agency again – though it emphasised that this new status was not an indication that they would be fully cleared. It said federal laws prohibit it from releasing additional information.

In a statement, Juul said it appreciated the FDA’s latest decision, adding it now looks forward to “re-engaging with the agency on a science- and evidence-based process to pursue a marketing authorization” for its products. “We remain confident in the quality and substance of our applications and believe that a full review of the science and evidence will demonstrate that our products meet the statutory standard of being appropriate for the protection of public health,” the company said.

Even though Juul has appealed the 2022 ban, the initial FDA decision has significantly disrupted the company’s finances and prompted a bailout from two of its largest investors, according to the Wall Street Journal.

To date, the FDA has only officially approved 23 e-cigarette products, manufactured by just three companies, for sale to consumers.