The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers. Friday's action is the government's strongest acknowledgment that switching to flavored vaping can reduce the harms of smoking. The FDA authorized four menthol e-cigarettes from Njoy, the vaping brand recently acquired by tobacco giant Altria, which also makes Marlboro cigarettes. The decision gives new credibility to vaping companies' longstanding argument that their products can help blunt the toll of smoking. But parent groups and anti-tobacco advocates immediately criticized the decision, saying flavors like menthol are more popular with teens.

Senators criticized top federal officials over the rise of illegal electronic cigarettes in the U.S., a multibillion-dollar business that has flourished in recent years. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Food and Drug Administration and Justice Department leaders about efforts to stay on top of the vaping industry. The government agencies have cracked down on a handful of manufacturers of e-cigarettes, but thousands of unauthorized products continue to be sold in vape shops and convenience stores. Most are imported from China. Senator Dick Durbin singled out the FDA for not taking action against a vape shop selling illegal products less than a mile from its headquarters.