Health Groups Respond to Comptroller Franchot's Enforcement Action on Flavored E-cigarettes

Yesterday, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced immediate action that will take many disposable flavored e-cigarettes off the market in Maryland. The announcement comes in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) loophole-filled policy that will restrict the sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes, but leave some flavored products that appeal to kids widely available.

Several members of the Maryland Tobacco-Free Coalition, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and Maryland PIRG, issued the following statement in response to Comptroller Franchot’s announcement:

“We applaud Comptroller Franchot’s efforts to take many disposable e-cigarettes off the market and out of the hands of kids. This is an important first step, but only by ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products will we reverse the youth tobacco epidemic and better protect the health of all Maryland residents.

The Comptroller’s action only addresses one loophole in FDA policy that allows for the sale of flavored disposable e-cigarettes. However, by exempting menthol e-cigarettes, kids will continue to have access to an appealing flavor. Moreover, this action does not cover other flavored products excluded from the FDA’s policy, including flavored nicotine liquids and popular brands like Smok and Suorin. To stop the youth e-cigarette epidemic, we must take all flavored tobacco products off the market. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck playing a never-ending game of Whac-A-Mole with flavored products that lure and addict kids.

We are glad that Comptroller Franchot is bringing attention to the shortcomings of the current FDA policy, and urge him to join us in supporting HB 3 and SB 233, comprehensive legislation that will reduce youth tobacco use by ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Maryland.”

Pictured here are some of the products currently excluded from the FDA’s new policy. Comptroller Franchot’s action will address some, but not all of these products popular with kids.

(Credit-Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)