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WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration is ramping up its efforts to force vape shops and other retailers to stop selling unauthorized disposable vape brands that are increasingly popular with young people.

The FDA recently issued 189 formal warning letters to shops selling two brands of vape products, Elf Bar and Esco Bars, the agency announced in a press release Thursday. The FDA has not authorized either brand, both of which are ubiquitous in gas stations and smoke shops around the country. They are therefore illegal to sell.

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“This latest blitz should be a wake-up call for retailers of Elf Bar and Esco Bars products nationwide,” said Brian King, the head of the FDA’s tobacco center in a statement announcing the blitz.

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