Summary
Introduction:
This text discusses the FDA's announcement to combat the increasing use of e-cigarettes among youths and their plan to implement tighter restrictions on e-cigarette sales. The text also covers the reactions of public health advocates and experts regarding the FDA's proposal.
Key Points:
* The FDA announced plans to combat the "epidemic use" of e-cigarettes among youths, including restricting sales of flavored cartridges for e-cigarettes and banning menthol-flavored combustible cigarettes and all flavored cigars.
* The proposal would require more stringent age verification online and restrict sales of flavored cartridges to age-restricted stores or sections of stores.
* The FDA excludes menthol, mint, and tobacco flavors for e-cigarettes due to their potential utility for smoking cessation.
* The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other organizations are suing the FDA for allowing e-cigarette products to remain on the market until 2022 without FDA public health review.
* Some e-cigarette companies, such as Juul Labs, have taken voluntary action to stop selling flavors and halt social media advertising.
* The FDA proposed a ban on combustible menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars, noting that 54% of smokers ages 12 to 17 use menthol cigarettes.
* Public health advocates and experts agree that banning all menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars could have far-reaching benefits.
Main Message:
The FDA's proposal to implement tighter restrictions on e-cigarette sales and ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars has received mixed reactions. While public health advocates and experts agree that restricting access to e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes could have far-reaching benefits, they also emphasize the need for more research on the health effects of e-cigarettes and the importance of enforcing age restrictions. The text highlights the need for the FDA to take swift action to regulate e-cigarette sales and protect public health, rather than relying on voluntary action from e-cigarette companies.
Citation
“FDA Seeks Tighter Restrictions on E-Cigarettes.” Cancer Discovery 9, no. 1 (January 1, 2019): OF3–OF3. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-NB2018-158.
