US Senator Durbin criticizes delayed FDA e-cigarette review.

During a speech in the Senate, US Senator Dick Durbin criticized the FDA for delaying completion of the public health review of tobacco product applications (PMTA) prior to the launch of electronic cigarettes. The deadline for the FDA to complete review of e-cigarette applications was over eight months ago on September 9th, 2021.

The FDA announced on June 13th that it has filed the latest update on its review of electronic cigarette applications, stating that the review process will not be completed until July 2023. Products currently under review may still be available for sale.

These companies are saturating the market with addictive devices. Companies like Juul, which are partially owned by tobacco companies, understand that they are marketing their products to children," said Durbin during a press conference in his office. "For years, these products haven't been authorized by law. Who should regulate them? The FDA, but currently, there is no regulation.

In March of this year, Senator Durbin and 14 of his colleagues wrote a bipartisan letter calling on the FDA to immediately complete its review of e-cigarettes and reject any applications, particularly those with flavors marketed to children, that do not prove to be beneficial for public health. The letter also urged the removal of all unapproved e-cigarettes from the market.

Senator Durbin stated, "I urge the FDA to immediately put an end to their enforcement discretionary power and remove all unauthorized e-cigarettes from the market. Let's not let Juul and other tobacco companies continue to endanger our children for another day. Let's not cower in front of high-paid tobacco lawyers again.

Source: Tobacco Reporter