The FDA has been asked by 29 U.S. States to strengthen regulations concerning e-cigarettes so as to make sure that young people are better protected from nicotine addiction.
Attorneys General from all over the United States have signed the letter that asks the Food and Drug Administration to limit marketing and advertising for electronic cigarettes as strictly as they have for conventional cigarettes. Additionally, they desire that the FDA prohibit any other flavors apart from tobacco and menthol.
Eric Schneidermann, New York Attorney General, said in a press release, that while the FDA has attempted to regulate these tobacco products, such restrictions aren’t enough to protect the youth. The FDA proposed rules meant to restrict the use of electronic cigarettes in April but the only restriction they set was the banning of e-cigarette usage by anyone under 18. According to the letter, flavors of e-cigs were specifically targeted to children.
Schneidermann added that just because these products don’t contain conventional tobacco, it doesn’t mean that addiction isn’t an issue. I There are currently over 45 research projects that are being funded by the Food and Drug administration and that are intended to inform its regulations of the electronic cigarette industry.
While the FDA spokeswoman agreed that it’s a matter of consumer protection that e-cigarettes be brought under the agency’s authority, she declined to address the request from the Attorneys General. Among other obligations, electronic cigarette manufacturers will have to use correct warning labeling, ensure popper identification so as to prevent sales to underage youth and include health warnings.
As the FDA has not completely assessed the impact that e-cigarettes have on the public’s health, they will not be issuing a ruling any time soon. The debate is whether e-cigarettes are beneficial or not. Some argue that they reduce disease and death by helping smokers quit and having a smaller toxicity, while others believe that they stimulate young people to start using them separately or delay quitting tobacco use altogether.
