|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
 |
Prevention Action Alliance
Our Thoughts on Restricting Flavored E-Cigarettes
In 2009, the Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act banned the sale
of cigarettes with flavors other than menthol and tobacco. This ban,
however, hasn’t impacted e-cigarette companies, which have used flavors
like Candy Crush, Cotton Candy, and fruit flavors to attract young
people to their products. Those same companies have spent millions of
dollars lobbying against bans and restrictions on those flavored,
kid-friendly products. Despite those lobbying campaigns, a few cities
and the state of Michigan have banned flavored nicotine products.
Last week, amid an outbreak of vaping illnesses nationwide, the Food
and Drug Administration announced that they would require flavored
e-cigarettes to undergo pre-market authorization. In other words,
they’ll have to ask the FDA for permission to sell flavored
e-cigarettes. Some headlines have called this a ban, and we hope and
expect that the FDA will curtail most flavored e-cigarette liquids. The
rule will take effect in coming months, but the exact timeline is not
clear. According to the press release, the rules implementing the
change will be finalized “in the coming weeks.” Once those rules are
issued, they should take effect in 30 days.
Taking flavored e-cigarettes off the market is a stand against
advertising to children. That stance, however, must be strong. Now is
the time to advocate for regulations that protect young people.
There are some areas that we believe need to be carefully thought out:
How will the FDA enforce this new rule?
Will flavored e-cigarettes be totally banned?
What will be done to help the thousands of people, including teenagers,
addicted to nicotine because of these flavored e-cigarettes?
Will the vaping industry be held accountable for marketing to teens (and how will they be held accountable)?
We’re not alone in our concerns. In Congress, there is bipartisan
movement for the FDA to address other concerns, such as making
e-cigarettes tamper-proof and ensuring young people don’t transition to
combustible cigarettes. Still others say the FDA should require all
e-cigarettes to undergo a review before they can be sold at all.
Soon, the FDA will issue that policy. When they do, we expect there
will be a period for public comment. We urge you to make your concerns
heard during that time.
|
|
|
|
