Last week, FDA and Commissioner Gottlieb took a giant step backwards against the best interest of public health. Gottlieb declared youth vaping an “epidemic,” and said the agency will halt sales of flavored electronic cigarettes if the major manufacturers can’t prove they are doing enough to keep them out of the hands of children and teens. The FDA says it’s giving manufacturers of Juul, Vuse, MarkTen XL, Blu and Logic 60 days to submit “robust” plans to prevent youth vaping. If the agency doesn’t think their plans go far enough, it could order their products off the market. The FDA also announced the results of its largest enforcement effort yet against e-cigarettes. The agency targeted more than 1,300 online and brick-and-mortar retailers with warning letters or civil penalties for selling to minors. Officials said 131 of the retailers will have to pay penalties. Last month the FDA was weighing the benefits of e-cigarettes in helping adults quit smoking against the risk to young people who become addicted to tobacco through vaping. As we all know, adults prefer flavored e-liquid when they are trying to quit. But Gottlieb now says he’s prepared to make vaping less attractive to adults if it reduces the harm to teens.
By threatening an industry – and technology that millions of adult smokers are successfully using to reduce or quit smoking deadly cigarettes–FDA is venturing into dangerous territory. It is upending its own process by threatening to move forward deadlines and banning “certain flavors” without engaging in its required comprehensive, science-based analysis.
We are surprised by FDA’s statement in particular because the most recent available data indicates we are not in the midst of an epidemic. “It is arguably irresponsible and clearly unscientific to suggest that there is an “epidemic” based upon “news coverage” and “increased concerns among kids, parents and educators” especially when the current available data suggests the contrary – that youth smoking and vaping rates are and have been declining,” said Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association. He added, “Decisions of this magnitude must be made on science, not emotion. That is FDA’s charge. Today’s actions have sent Big Tobacco stocks skyrocketing. Does FDA really want millions of Americans to return to smoking cigarettes?” Vapor Technology Association
AVAA member stores have already adopted marketing standards, and if you haven’t already, now is the time to implement marketing standards where YOU are. Last week’s announcement threatens the entire industry, and we need to be proactive in our approach to keeping vapor products out of the hands of youth. Below you will find VTA’s marketing standards, to which AVAA member stores adhere. Print these off and educate your community vape shops and employees.