WASHINGTON >> Federal health officials Tuesday announced a nationwide crackdown on underage use of a popular e-cigarette brand following months of complaints from parents, politicians and school administrators.
The Food and Drug Administration issued warnings to 40 retail and online stores as part of a monthlong operation against illegal sales of Juul to children. Investigators targeted 7-Eleven locations, Shell gas stations and Cumberland Farms convenience stores as well as vaping shops.
FDA regulators also asked manufacturer Juul Labs to turn over documents about the design, marketing and ingredients of its product. The rare request focuses on whether certain product features are specifically appealing to young people.
Like other e-cigarettes, Juul is an electronic device that turns liquid — usually containing nicotine — into an inhalable vapor.
Thanks in part to its resemblance to a small computer flash drive, Juul has become popular with some teenagers as a discreet way to vape at school and in public. Parents, teachers and principals say they are struggling to control the booming trend.
A recent government-commissioned report found “substantial evidence” that young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try cigarettes.
Dow sinks 400 amid industrial stock sell-off
NEW YORK >> After a strong start, U.S. stocks abruptly sold off Tuesday after machinery maker Caterpillar said it doesn’t expect to top its first-quarter profit for the rest of the year. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged as much as 619 points as investors feared that rising oil prices and other costs will slow down growth in company profits.
Stocks climbed in early trading as companies like Caterpillar, appliance maker Whirlpool and Fifth Third Bancorp posted strong quarterly results. Then Caterpillar executives told analysts on a conference call in the late morning that they don’t expect the company to report a larger per-share profit for the rest of 2018. Other industrial, technology and basic materials companies also took sharp losses.
The Dow Jones industrial average finished with a loss of 424.56 points, or 1.7 percent, to 24,024.13.
Small-company stocks held up better than the rest of the market. The Russell 2000 index declined 8.84 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,553.28, about half as much as the S&P 500, which tracks large U.S. companies.
ON THE MOVE
HawaiiKidsCan, The Hawaii Campaign for Achievement Now, has announced the following two new members of its local advisory board:
>> Elisa Yadao is senior vice president as well as chief communications and community engagement officer for Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA). Yadao previously served as chief information officer for the City and County of Honolulu’s rail transit system, communications director for Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate, executive director of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and television reporter and news producer for Hawaii’s CBS affiliate.
>> Nancy Barry is the founding president of Hoala Foundation for Education, which trains teachers in the Awakening Wisdom program. The program specifically has social as well as emotional curriculum that transforms school culture. She also serves on the Hookakoo Corp. board. Barry is also a former leader and educator and worked with Straub Foundation, Mid-Pacific Institute and Ronald McDonald House.
