Recently, in an exclusive document provided to The Hill, Republican Congressman Rob Wittman and Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi publicly released a letter addressed to Robert Califf, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regarding their unanswered inquiries submitted to the agency in November.
They wrote, "The recent federal joint operation in December 2023 seized over 1.4 million illicit e-cigarettes, and we commend this effort. However, there is still more work to be done. Illegally manufactured e-cigarette products from China currently account for over half of all e-cigarette products sold in the United States, significantly increasing the prevalence of underage e-cigarette use.
Legislators have taken note of the fact that FDA data reveals that more than one in every four teenagers admits to using e-cigarettes on a daily basis, with a majority expressing a preference for flavored e-cigarettes.
In the letter, they specifically mentioned the ELFBAR brand, with 56% of users stating that they obtained this brand through "illegal imports" from China. This product line stands out with brightly colored e-cigarettes, available in various fruity flavors.
Critics widely believe that these types of products are specifically designed to appeal to children and teenagers. Despite the ban imposed by the Food and Drug Administration on most fruit and mint flavored e-cigarettes, these products continue to flood into the United States and remain available for purchase.
The lawmakers questioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about their plans to prevent the influx of e-cigarettes from China and whether they intended to pursue legal action against manufacturers. They also inquired why the FDA has not issued regulations requiring foreign manufacturers to register, despite the Tobacco Control Act allowing for such measures.
The FDA, which had previously stated that it would complete the review of applications by the end of December 2023, has missed the final deadline. Representatives Whitman and Krishnamoorthi are pressing the FDA for information on the timeline for completing the review and urging the agency to address the issue of delays.
Notice
1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.
2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.
Copyright
This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.
This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.
