The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the sale of Juul Labs' e-cigarette device and refill cartridges in tobacco and menthol flavors, after years of struggle with heightened regulatory scrutiny,

JUUL GETS ITS CROWN — The FDA authorized Juul’s applications on Thursday to sell e-cigarettes in the U.S., determining they’re “appropriate for the protection of public health” because their benefits to adult smokers of combustible cigarettes outweigh the risks to nonsmoking youths.

Federal health officials will allow Juul to keep selling its electronic cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that Juul's benefits as a less harmful alternative for adult smokers outweigh the risks of teen use.