American Lung Association Response to Flavored E-Cigarette Studies

In response to research on flavored e-cigarettes released on November 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement: 

“More than five million high school and middle school students are using e-cigarettes according to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). The new data show that kids prefer fruit, menthol or mint flavors and nearly 1 million students use e-cigarettes daily.

“The reports affirm that flavors attract kids. In September, President Trump announced that his Administration would clear the market of all flavored e-cigarettes, except tobacco flavor.  Recent media reports have indicated the Administration may be creating a menthol e-cigarette loophole.  These JAMA reports show that flavors lure kids to try these products, and the elimination of all flavors is necessary.

The American Lung Association strongly supports clearing all flavored products from the market including menthol. Anything less will leave millions of middle and high school students at risk.  The Lung Association urges the Administration to stay its original course and stand strong against efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine the Administration’s call for bold and effective leadership.”

Learn more about e-cigarettes and lung health at Lung.org/ecigs. For media interested in speaking with an expert about e-cigarettes, tobacco use and lung health, contact the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 312-801-7629.