FDA Proposes Tighter E-Cigarette Regulations

The FDA has proposed that restrictions on flavored electronic cigarettes be tightened, in response to recent data showing a dramatic increase in the use of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use among middle and high school students in the US.

“With the significant strides made in recent years to reduce conventional smoking among both youth and adults, we appeared poised to overcome one of the most pernicious public health challenges of our times – the death and disease caused by cigarette smoking,” the FDA wrote in a press release.

“However, it has become clear that a recent surge in e-cigarette use among youth, which had appeared to be leveling off at the time our comprehensive plan was first announced in July 2017, is threatening the progress we’ve made in reducing youth tobacco use.”

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The FDA has proposed an end to the current compliance policy and the enforcement of limits to the accessibility of such products to minors. This enforcement would involve retailers being instructed to keep these products in separate rooms and require age verification upon purchase. The new proposal will also require that manufacturers of all flavored ENDS products (aside from tobacco-, mint-, and menthol-flavored) submit premarket applications to the FDA by August 8, 2021, one year earlier than the previously proposed date.

“Ultimately, we expect these steps designed to address flavors and protect youth will dramatically limit the ability of kids to access tobacco products we know are both appealing and addicting.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on advancing new policies aimed at preventing youth access to, and appeal of, flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and cigars [press release]. March 13, 2019. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm633291.htm.