The FDA Revealed How It ’s Planning to Restrict E-Cigarette Sales to Teens

In one of his last acts as head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), outgoing Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb released new plans for restricting the sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes, in an effort to combat teen vaping. The draft guidance, which will remain open for public comment for 30 days before being finalized, crystallizes some of the agency’s prior plans for regulating flavored e-cigarettes, which have become so popular among teenagers that many doctors fear they could contribute to widespread nicotine addiction among young people. Vaping among high school students rose by 78% (from almost 12% to almost 21% of students) between 2017 and 2018, according to federal data. If finalized, the policy would restrict sales of all but tobacco-, mint- and menthol-flavored e-cigarettes; crack down on products that are expressly appealing to minors; and move up the date by which e-cigarette companies have to apply for FDA review. Some flavored e-cigarettes could be pulled from the market all together, according to an FDA statement. “Under the new policy announced today, we’re putting all manufacturers and retailers on notice,” Gottlieb said in the statement. The FDA is focusing on e-cigarettes in flavors such as fruit and candy because they have been shown to be especially appealing to kids, whereas mint and menthol flavors — which are also used in other tobacco products — may be used by adult smokers to help them transition off of co...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized public health Source Type: news