FDA Overreach Will Destroy Vaping Industry

Floor Speech

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the FDA's inappropriate efforts to decimate the vaping industry.

Dozens of my constituents have written to me about the dramatic positive impact vaping has had on their lives. Each of these Americans has also expressed concern that the FDA's regulations will take away the very thing that has helped them begin to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Andrew Driscoll of Boone wrote: ``Vaping has allowed me to quit a pack-a-day habit of smoking after years of trying other nicotine products to quit . . . innovation by small businesses to create helpful products that facilitate positive lifestyle changes should not be stifled by overregulation by the FDA.''

Dorothy Berryhill-Sanderson of Winston-Salem started smoking when she was 16 years old. She wrote that she was ``able to finally stop smoking a year and a half ago by vaping. I went off asthma meds within 6 months and high blood pressure meds shortly afterwards.''

Seth Marion of Yadkinville tried a variety of measures to quit smoking, but nothing worked until he tried vaping. He wrote to me to stress ``how important it is to support vaping and the lives it is changing.''

Kayla Hildebran of Taylorsville vowed to quit smoking when her 3- year-old daughter asked her to stop. She wrote about her opposition to the FDA regulating ``something that has not only changed my life for the better but hers too.''

In addition to numerous individuals, I am also hearing from business owners in my district who will be impacted by these rules. The FDA estimates there are between 5,200 and 10,200 businesses in the United States that make and/or sell electronic nicotine-delivery systems. The agency has said that number could drop between 30 percent and 70 percent with the new regulations, which is outrageous.

Vaping helped Chris Winfrey of Winston-Salem quit smoking. As a result, he organizes nationwide trade shows and conventions for vaping.

He wrote that ``my businesses will no longer be able to exist, and I will no longer be able to employ the people I do.''

Josh Frazier of Statesville owns a local vaping business and asked me ``why the FDA wants to basically eliminate this industry.'' These regulations are yet another example of the Obama administration's pattern of stifling the American economy through unnecessary rules. It is important for the well-being of citizens across this country that we stop this Federal overreach and that we allow vaping and other nontraditional products to compete in the marketplace.

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