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Vuse Alto

The Vuse Alto is a prefilled pod system from R.J. Reynolds Vapor, and on July 18, 2024 the FDA authorized its power unit and six tobacco pods, Golden Tobacco and Rich Tobacco at 5%, 2.4% and 1.8% nicotine.1 Vuse's FAQ gives no puff count, and retail listings disagree on how much e-liquid a pod holds, so no volume is given here.2

Checked October 26, 2026

Vuse Alto Flavors

The two Vuse Alto flavors on the FDA's authorized list are Golden Tobacco and Rich Tobacco, each in 5%, 2.4% and 1.8% pods.3

Tobacco

Vuse Alto Nicotine and Pods

Vuse Alto nicotine comes in 1.8%, 2.4% and 5.0% by weight, Vuse's FAQ says, and like every Vuse closed system the pods use nicotine salts.2 Alto pods are single use and cannot be refilled, and an Alto device works only with Vuse Alto and Vuse Pro pods.

The FDA's decision summary for the Alto products describes a ceramic wick inside the pod.4

Vuse Alto Battery, Charging and Light

The Vuse Alto battery is lithium polymer and cannot be removed, according to Vuse's FAQ, and retail listings put its size at 350 mAh.25

Its LED stays solid green while it charges on the Vuse Alto USB charger and flashes green 10 times when the battery runs low. The Alto fires automatically when you inhale, and Vuse says each puff cuts off at five seconds.2

The Vuse Alto is legal to sell under federal rules with Golden Tobacco and Rich Tobacco pods, which the FDA authorized together with the Alto Power Unit on July 18, 2024, per the FDA's Alto announcement.1

Menthol and mixed berry Alto pods are a different case. The FDA denied six of them on October 12, 2023; the Fifth Circuit stayed the menthol denial the next day and granted a judicial stay on February 2, 2024, and Tobacco Reporter wrote in July 2024 that the menthol and mixed berry orders were both stayed.67 A stay kept those pods in stores, but it is not an FDA authorization.

The Supreme Court's June 20, 2025 ruling in FDA v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. let the Fifth Circuit challenge to the denials of Reynolds' berry and menthol products go forward.8 The Vuse brand page has the full FDA history.

Vuse Pro Pods in the Vuse Alto

Vuse Pro pods fit the Vuse Alto: Vuse's FAQ says the pods, at about 5.0% nicotine, are meant for Alto devices, and Reynolds told 2Firsts that the label lists 2.0 mL of e-liquid.9

In early September 2026 Reynolds began selling Vuse Pro pods in Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint without an FDA marketing authorization. None of the four is on the FDA's authorized list, which covers only the Alto's Golden Tobacco and Rich Tobacco pods.3

Vuse Alto Patent Verdicts

Vuse Alto patent verdicts went against Reynolds twice in 2022. A North Carolina jury awarded Altria Client Services $95.23 million in past damages after finding the Alto pod assembly infringed three Altria patents.10 In Philip Morris International's case a jury awarded $10.91 million over Alto, and in April 2023 a judge set a 1.8% royalty on Alto rather than order it off the market.11

Vuse Alto FAQ

These Vuse Alto FAQ answers use the sources listed at the end of the page.

Is the Vuse Alto FDA approved?

The Vuse Alto is FDA authorized, the agency's term for clearing a vape, for its power unit and six Golden Tobacco and Rich Tobacco pods since July 18, 2024; its menthol and mixed berry pods are not.1

How much nicotine is in a Vuse Alto pod?

A Vuse Alto pod holds 1.8%, 2.4% or 5.0% nicotine by weight, in nicotine salt form, Vuse's FAQ says.2

Are Vuse Alto menthol pods banned?

Vuse Alto menthol pods were denied by the FDA on October 12, 2023, but the Fifth Circuit stayed that order in October 2023 and again on February 2, 2024, so Reynolds could keep selling them.12 They are still not FDA authorized.

Can you refill a Vuse Alto pod?

A Vuse Alto pod cannot be refilled: Vuse's FAQ says Alto and Vuse Pro pods are single use and not refillable.2

Sources

  1. FDA Authorizes Marketing of Vuse Alto Tobacco-Flavored E-Cigarette Pods and Accompanying Power Unit (2024-07-18), U.S. Food and Drug Administration. fda.gov/tobacco-products/ctp-newsroom/fda-authorizes-marketing-vuse-alto-tobacco-flavor...
  2. Vuse FAQs (Warnings, Product Information, Alto, Ciro, Solo, Vibe, Vuse Pro Pods), R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company (vusevapor.com). vusevapor.com/footer-links/faq.html
  3. E-Cigarettes, Vapes and Other ENDS Authorized by the FDA (content current as of 08/28/2026, 48 products). fda.gov/tobacco-products/market-and-distribute-tobacco-product/e-cigarettes-vapes-and-o...
  4. Vuse Alto Decision Summary (FDA technical project lead review of the PMTAs, posted 2024-07-18), U.S. Food and Drug Administration. fda.gov/media/180160/download?attachment
  5. Vuse products listing, saucey.com. saucey.com/brands/vuse
  6. Court Grants Stay on R.J. Reynolds Vapor Products (2024-02-05), CSP Daily News. cspdailynews.com/tobacco/court-grants-stay-rj-reynolds-vapor-products
  7. FDA OKs Vuse Alto Tobacco-Flavored Pods (2024-07-18), Tobacco Reporter. tobaccoreporter.com/2024/07/18/fda-oks-vuse-alto-tobacco-flavored-pods/
  8. Recent Supreme Court Decisions Related to E-Cigarette Regulation (LSB11334, 2025-07-03), Congressional Research Service. everycrsreport.com/reports/LSB11334.html
  9. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization (2026-09-10), 2Firsts. 2firsts.com/news/bat-launches-flavored-vuse-pro-with-age-verification-technology-in-us-...
  10. Reynolds Hit with $95 Million Verdict in Vapor Patent Dispute (2022-09-07), Tobacco Reporter. tobaccoreporter.com/2022/09/07/reynolds-hit-with-95-million-verdict-in-vapor-patent-dis...
  11. Judge: Reynolds Can Continue to Sell Vuse (2023-04-10), Tobacco Reporter. tobaccoreporter.com/2023/04/10/judge-rules-reynolds-can-continue-to-sell-vuse/
  12. Court Stays Marketing Denial of Vuse Alto Menthol Pods (2023-10-15), Convenience Store News. csnews.com/court-stays-marketing-denial-vuse-alto-menthol-pods