Following a nearly two-year-long review of scientific and public health data submitted by the company, the agency said the applications "lacked sufficient evidence" to show that sale of the products would be appropriate for public health.

Some of the findings raised concerns due to insufficient and conflicting data, including whether potentially harmful chemicals could leach out of the Juul pods, the agency said.

The Biden administration has been looking at other ways to help people quit smoking in an effort to cut down on preventable cancer deaths. It said this week it plans to propose a rule establishing a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and other finished tobacco products to make them less addictive.