Letter to Commissioner Gottlieb, Food and Drug Administration - Regulate E-Cigarrettes Popular Among Teens like "Juul"

Letter

Dear Commissioner Gottlieb,

I write today with grave concern about the exposure of the nation's youth to harmful tobacco and e-cigarette products. As the entity responsible for ensuring the health and safety of American citizens with regard to inhalable products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must take immediate action to prevent the spread of chronic disease and addiction.

In May 2017, the FDA delayed crucial regulatory compliance deadlines for tobacco and e-cigarette products as outlined in the 2016 deeming rule. When fully implemented it will provide consumers with additional health and safety warnings and require manufacturers to demonstrate that given products comply with health standards set by law. More recently, in July 2017 the FDA announced that it will seek information on lower nicotine levels in cigarettes and other tobacco products. While this announcement is a step in the right direction, the FDA's decision to delay the requirements as outlined in the deeming rule is devastating to the public health of our national community.

As you know, this rule gave FDA oversight on e-cigarettes and other tobacco products to both protect consumers and prevent tobacco products from appealing to children and teens. According to the FDA, the use of e-cigarettes among high schoolers increased from 1.5 percent to 16 percent from 2011 to 2015, respectively. E-cigarette products like Juul, which advertise flavors that are attractive to young people, will continue to get into the hands of teens until the FDA re-evaluates its decision to delay the deeming rule.

I strongly suggest the FDA reconsider the delay regulations that aim to protect our children from harmful products which appeal to their demographic.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

Source