According to some statements, e-cigarette makers admitted in meetings with the Food and Drug Administration that the aromas offered in e-liquids attracted children. Despite this, public health experts say that industry should not be expected to come up with useful ways of self-control.
RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS "PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS"
The words are strong and the speech is disturbing. After years of public health officials warning young people to use e-cigarettes in alarming numbers, the FDA has developed regulations to prevent the promotion of vaping products to children.
As part of this process, the FDA has asked the five major e-cigarette brands to submit plans to combat youth vaping. " All players in this market share the responsibility to face this public health crisis“, Said the commissioner of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, while explicitly inviting the e-cigarette industry to “ intensify its actions"
More Desmond Jenson, lawyer Public Health Law Center for the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, worried that the vape industry is giving too much information on how the FDA should regulate them. "Anyone who thinks e-cigarette makers could come up with a plan to regulate themselves effectively should come and tell me about it, because I have a bridge that I would love to sell.He says.
"WORKING TOGETHER TO RESTRICT THE ACCESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE"
In response, an FDA spokesperson says, " We will continue to solicit public input from a wide range of stakeholders, including public health advocates and the manufacturers and sellers involved in these policies. »
Manufacturers had a similar answer. "We believe industry and regulators must work together to restrict access for young people", said Victoria Davis, spokesman for Juul, in an email.
As part of this race to regulate electronic cigarettes, the FDA has met with the companies that make up the vast majority of the vape market: Altria Group, Inc. Juul Labs, Inc .; Reynolds American Inc .; Fontem Ventures ; and Japan Tobacco International USA Inc. If the Juul brand seems familiar, the others are less known as MarkTen, Vuse, blu and Logic. "Each of these companies markets products that have recently been illegally sold to minorsSaid the FDA. And all, except Juul, also have links to traditional tobacco products.
The FDA statement does not say who said what about aromas at meetings, and the FDA spokesperson, Michael Felberbaum, did not want to clarify things. This famous statement states: Companies have recognized that flavored e-liquids appeal to children just as these products can help adult smokers quit smoking. »
Of the companies named in the declaration, only James Campbell, spokesman for Fontem Ventures (blu) specifically discussed flavors discussions with the FDA. "We discussed the importance of aromas in vape in attracting and retaining adult smokers and we also committed to ensuring that e-liquid naming conventions are appropriate and do not directly appeal to minors.»
Source : Theverge.com/
