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.

Smoore International Reports 2025 Revenue of RMB 14.256 Billion, Up 20.8%
Smoore International Reports 2025 Revenue of RMB 14.256 Billion, Up 20.8%
On March 17, Smoore International Holdings Limited released its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2025. Revenue reached RMB 14.256 billion, up 20.8% year on year. Gross profit was RMB 4.857 billion, with a gross margin of 34.1%. Profit for the year was RMB 1.062 billion, down 18.5%, while adjusted profit for the year was RMB 1.530 billion, up 1.3%. By segment, revenue from enterprise customers was RMB 11.344 billion and revenue from own-brand business was RMB 2.912 billion.
Mar.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesia’s vape retailers adopt 21+ signage and ID verification requirements, report says
Indonesia’s vape retailers adopt 21+ signage and ID verification requirements, report says
RetailNews Asia reported that the Association of Indonesian Vape Retailers (Arvindo) has directed member stores to stop selling e-cigarettes to people under 21 and to display 21+ signage and verify customer age using valid identification.
Feb.27
STG UK refreshes XQS nicotine pouch packaging: new flavour indicators, hitting retail from March
STG UK refreshes XQS nicotine pouch packaging: new flavour indicators, hitting retail from March
Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK (STG UK) has announced a rebrand across its XQS nicotine pouch range. The updated packaging will be visible at retail from March, with the recommended retail price remaining £5.50. The new packs feature a bolder logo and glossy textures, retain nicotine strength indicators, and add a side flavour profile indicator to show the flavour type.
Feb.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Lawmaker Says Bill on Full Vape Sales Ban Is Before State Duma
Russian Lawmaker Says Bill on Full Vape Sales Ban Is Before State Duma
Yaroslav Nilov, chair of the State Duma Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Veterans’ Affairs, said a bill proposing a full ban on vape sales is currently before the State Duma, though no final decision has yet been made. He said the initiative has been signed by representatives of almost all factions and noted that support for a full ban has also been voiced at the regional governor level. Nilov also said vape use in Russia is increasing while the age of consumers is declining.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Hillsborough County Public Schools to install vaping detection sensors across all high schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools to install vaping detection sensors across all high schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) announced it will install vaping detection sensors across all high schools in Hillsborough County as part of what officials called a “proactive step” toward healthier and safer learning environments. District staff said the sensors are intended to help reduce vaping on campus, support student well-being and encourage positive behavior change.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Manchester’s Cheetham Hill Hosts 54 Vape Shops Across Two Streets
Manchester’s Cheetham Hill Hosts 54 Vape Shops Across Two Streets
Cheetham Hill in Greater Manchester has become one of the UK’s most concentrated vape retail clusters, with 54 e-cigarette shops operating along two adjacent streets following a police crackdown on counterfeit goods in the area.
Feb.21