FDA Considers Meaningful Action Against E-Cigarette Manufacturers But Will It Act?

Statement of American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) announcement on enforcement regarding e-cigarette sales to youth:

“For years, the American Lung Association has been sounding the alarm that FDA has been extremely slow to use its authority to protect children from e-cigarettes and cigars, and as a result, our children are quickly becoming hooked on the nicotine found in Juul and other e-cigarettes. The explosion of e-cigarette use by youth and the failure of FDA to enforce the Tobacco Control Act prompted the American Lung Association along with other health and medical groups to file a lawsuit challenging the FDA decision that allows e-cigarettes and cigars – including candy-flavored products that appeal to kids – to stay on the market for years without being reviewed by the agency. 

 “The action FDA threatened to ‘consider’ using against the manufacturers of five e-cigarette brands – removing certain products that are clearly aimed at youth from the market – is the very authority the American Lung Association has urged the FDA to actively use, broadly. With our nation’s youth at risk for a lifetime of addiction to tobacco products, now is not the time to ‘consider’ but to meaningfully act.”

 “It is long past time for FDA to ‘consider’ using its authority and time for them to take meaningful action – including requiring all e-cigarettes and other newly deemed tobacco products go through the pre-market review process required in the Tobacco Control Act, and removing all flavored tobacco products from the marketplace.”