US Food and Drug Administration authorized the first non-tobacco flavored electronic cigarettes to be sold in the US. Two of the four newly licensed products are sealed, pre-filled containers of menthol-flavored nicotine liquid that can be used in various types of e-cigarettes. The other two are disposable nicotine e-cigarettes meaning the device cannot be reused after the pre-filled menthol liquid has been used.
In an interview, Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a smoking and e-cigarette health policy expert, was asked to explain the downsides of FDA licensing and what it means for vulnerable populations.
What does the new announcement from the FDA mean?
An electronic cigarette, also known as a vape, is a hand-operated, battery-powered device that heats a liquid to create a vapor that can be inhaled. This steam can be made to add flavor. Unlike traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes do not contain tobacco leaves. Electronic cigarettes may contain nicotine but not always.
As of June 21, the only nicotine e-cigarettes approved for sale in the United States are tobacco flavored. Some organizations, including tobacco industry advocates, described it as a “de facto flavor ban.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines menthol as a chemical compound found naturally in narcissus and other similar plants.
For the first time, the FDA has authorized the sale of e-cigarette flavors other than tobacco. “Cigarette flavor” describes a variety of flavors designed to taste like traditional cigarettes.
What harm and danger to children?
Cigarette companies add menthol to regular cigarettes to make them look less dirty and attractive. Tobacco companies are aggressively marketing menthol cigarettes to black people.
The FDA has proposed a ban on menthol cigarettes in 2022, including among young people, based on their potential to improve health and prevent death. But the offer was put on hold.
Research shows that the taste of non-tobacco, e-liquid is more attractive than the taste of tobacco, including to young people.
The FDA previously rejected the application for menthol e-cigarettes, saying the application “does not provide sufficient scientific evidence to demonstrate that the potential benefits for older smokers outweigh the risks of youth initiation and use”.
How are e-cigarettes regulated in the US?
In the United States, electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine are under the jurisdiction of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. Electronic cigarette manufacturers must apply for marketing authorization from the FDA in order for their products to be legally marketed and sold in the United States.
FDA bases these programs on scientific evidence provided by manufacturers. Applications for approval must demonstrate that allowing the product to be marketed would be appropriate to protect public health.
That means the FDA must determine whether the product’s potential benefits, in other words, its ability to help adults quit smoking, outweigh its risks, including its appeal to young people. Although e-cigarettes are not without risk, they are considered less harmful than smoking. This means that adults who switch from smoking to vaping can benefit from improved health.
Does America already have sweet grapes?
Although only tobacco e-liquids were allowed to be sold before this new announcement, most Americans reported using flavored e-liquids, with sweet, fruity, nutty and menthol being the most popular.
One reason for this is that many of the products available in the United States are not licensed for marketing or sales. This is called an illegal product. In addition, some products are currently under review by the FDA.
In 2019 and 2020, a number of widely reported injuries, such as mass injuries associated with pneumonia, have been linked to illegal products and some harmful chemicals not found in FDA-approved products. .
In early June, the Department of Justice and the FDA announced a federal multi-agency task force to crack down on the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarettes. Meanwhile, the United States is rich in soft, colorful and high-strength grapes produced in China.
How can it affect health?
The best research shows no difference between menthol and tobacco-flavored e-liquids in terms of health risks for users.
As mentioned above, research shows that the taste of non-tobacco electronics is more pleasant than the taste of tobacco, at least in some groups. This may mean that non-smoking youth are at increased risk for recreational use.
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