FDA faces scrutiny over safety of nicotine alternatives

Aug.04.2022
FDA faces scrutiny over safety of nicotine alternatives
FDA under scrutiny for lack of action on synthetic nicotine ban and delayed PMTA process. Review to be conducted by Reagan-Udall Foundation.

As we all know, the FDA has come under scrutiny for approving safer nicotine alternatives and related issues. Last month, the agency faced harsh criticism from Senators Dick Durbin (Democrat, Illinois) and Susan Collins (Republican, Maine). In a letter, the senators cited a news report and criticized the FDA for its lack of action on the "synthetic nicotine ban," stating that the FDA "appears to have once again failed to protect our nation's children.


Similarly, Chairman of the Smoke-Free Kids campaign, Matt Myers emphasizes that the FDA should exercise its authority and remove the products from the market. "All unauthorized synthetic nicotine products are now illegal, and according to the law, they must be removed from the market now, not at some uncertain date in the future.


Furthermore, the FDA has faced continuous condemnation for failing to complete the PMTA process in a timely manner at the designated deadline. Adding insult to injury, the FDA has also been forced to pause its recently issued Juul marketing denial order (MDO), citing the need for more thorough review.


Of course, to make these mistakes look like they're being taken seriously, Commissioner Califf announced a review of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). Commissioner Califf stated, "Every field is full of dedicated and talented people who work tirelessly on various scientific, policy, legal, and administrative activities. FDA employees should receive the best support so that they can fulfill their steadfast commitment to public health and to the American public we serve.


The audit will be carried out by a non-profit organization, the Reagan-Udall Foundation, in collaboration with unnamed experts to evaluate the processes and procedures, resources, and organizational structure of the food plan and CTP.


Is the Reagan-Udall Foundation reliable?


According to Filter, many people have expressed disappointment with the results of the self-audit announcement of the Reagan-Udall Foundation. "Many of the individuals investigating the foundation were handpicked from Reagan-Udall's board of directors, who are supporters of the safer nicotine zone," Filter reports. The foundation has not disclosed how many people participated in the audit, adding to the uncertainty around the issue. Notably, board members include Georges C. Benjamin, who is a proponent of prohibitionist organization Truth Initiative, and James E.K. Hildreth, a professor at Nashville's Meharry Medical College who has received millions of dollars in research grants from Juul.


According to a former employee of CTP interviewed by Filter, "I don't expect any major changes." It is currently unclear whether the Reagan-Udall Foundation will be a prohibitionist collaborator or a true partner to millions of adult smokers who are using e-cigarette products to quit smoking.


The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been accused of failing to fulfill its regulatory authority to approve e-cigarette products that promote public health, without remorse. This is not due to an overloaded system or inadequate funding - the agency collects nearly $1 billion in user fees annually. "The FDA's bureaucrats have refused to take responsibility for this fact, which is the reality," added Amanda Wheeler, president of the American e-cigarette manufacturer.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is provided for industry exchange and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is solely for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in translation abilities, the compiled article may not accurately express the same message as the original text. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS fully aligns with the Chinese government's stance and statements regarding domestic issues, issues involving Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as foreign affairs.


The copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

JTI UK Updates Nordic Spirit Packaging to Strengthen “Strength and Flavour” Guidance
JTI UK Updates Nordic Spirit Packaging to Strengthen “Strength and Flavour” Guidance
Japan Tobacco International UK (JTI UK) has unveiled a refreshed brand identity for Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches. The new packaging is now live on JTI360 and will roll out to shelves over the coming months. The updated design strengthens on-pack guidance on strength and flavour, adding slower/faster release cues and a six-dot strength system (6–17mg). Each can contains 20 pouches and includes a lid compartment for storing used pouches before disposal.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FRE Nicotine Pouches Partners with Taylor Reimer Racing, Covering Four 2026 ARCA Events
FRE Nicotine Pouches Partners with Taylor Reimer Racing, Covering Four 2026 ARCA Events
FRE® Nicotine Pouches announced a partnership with Taylor Reimer Racing, becoming the Official Nicotine Sponsor for four races in the 2026 ARCA Menards Series and serving as the primary sponsor at events in Alabama, Michigan, Minnesota, and Arizona. FRE branding will appear on the race car, driver suit, and helmet, and the collaboration will also extend to off-track content and activations.
Feb.27
Cambodia Siem Reap raid seizes over 10,000 e-cigarette items; two arrested
Cambodia Siem Reap raid seizes over 10,000 e-cigarette items; two arrested
Police in Siem Reap, Cambodia, seized 10,168 items of e-cigarette paraphernalia during a raid on February 28, 2026, and arrested two suspected sellers and owners of the premises.
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Japan Announces McLaren Collaboration “glo Hilo Plus” Limited-Edition Set, Priced at About USD 200
BAT Japan Announces McLaren Collaboration “glo Hilo Plus” Limited-Edition Set, Priced at About USD 200
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) announced a collaboration with McLaren Racing to launch the “glo Hilo Plus・McLaren Racing Inspired Limited-Edition Set.” Sales begin on March 3 via the glo Store Ginza and the official glo online store. Based on the “glo Hilo Plus,” the set includes a limited-edition device and dedicated accessories, priced at JPY 30,000 (about USD 200).
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
JT to Launch New Ploom Stick Variant “EVO Sakura Regular” Nationwide in Japan on April 6
JT to Launch New Ploom Stick Variant “EVO Sakura Regular” Nationwide in Japan on April 6
JT said it will begin rolling out “EVO Sakura Regular,” a new product under the premium EVO brand for the heated tobacco brand Ploom, at convenience stores and tobacco retailers across Japan from April 6. The product has already been on sale since February 3 through the CLUB JT online shop and Ploom Shops nationwide.
Mar.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Pixx Nicotine Toothpicks Listed on UK Retail Website, Said to Be Unaffected by Upcoming Vape Tax
Product | Pixx Nicotine Toothpicks Listed on UK Retail Website, Said to Be Unaffected by Upcoming Vape Tax
2Firsts has noted that a nicotine toothpick product named Pixx has appeared on a UK retailer website. The product page describes it as a smoke-free nicotine product, and the packaging image shows “UK MADE.” A nicotine-industry professional wrote on LinkedIn that the UK is set to introduce vape tax changes that may increase pressure on the retail side, and said Pixx is expected not to be included in the upcoming vape tax.
Mar.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai