The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has announced that the the federal government intends to ban all flavored e-cigarettes. The move comes after a recent survey demonstrated an alarming jump in youth e-cigarette use for the second year in a row. It also follows the publication of a scathing editorial by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), in which he described Acting FDA Administrator Ned Shaprless, MD as an “accomplice” with Juul and other e-cigarette manufacturers for his weak approach to addressing the issue.
“The Trump Administration is making it clear that we intend to clear the market of flavored e-cigarettes to reverse the deeply concerning epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that is impacting children, families, schools and communities,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. “We will not stand idly by as these products become an on-ramp to combustible cigarettes or nicotine addiction for a generation of youth”. No date has yet been announced for when the ban will go into effect, but the HHS press release says more information will be forthcoming. “The FDA plans to share more on the specific details of the plan and its implementation soon”.
Follow this link to read the full HHS press release: Administration Combating Epidemic of Youth E-Cigarette Use