Last April, the FDA announced its first electronic cigarette regulation proposal. The US Food and Drug Administration had opened a public discussion from all parties involved to offer their comments and feed back to the FDA and was to close on July 9th. They have now announced an extension of 30 additional days, moving the deadline to August 8th.
The decision was made on their part after 33,700 comments we’re submitted from the public, various groups and interested parties. The number seems small compared to 176,000 comments submitted on the past subject of menthol tobacco flavors during a 120-day period of time, but it remains a huge amount of feedback to review thoroughly. The public and industry members will now have an additional month to formulate their advice and information regarding the best way to go about regulating electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers.
The first set of rule in the federal proposal banned selling e-cigarettes to minors while not imposing any restrictions on candy or fruit flavors. This is incredibly important, as banning fruity or sweet inspired flavors would have a negative impact. There is no such thing as an “adult flavor” and flavors play a vital role for anyone that has switched to vaping.
No marketing restrictions we’re to be placed at this time other than being prohibited from making any type of claims regardless on health or smoking cessation until more evidence could be collected. All vaporizer manufacturers must submit ingredient lists and ensuring safe processes. Further regulations we’re said to be very possible, but the FDA wanted to collect more evidence before taking more action. The financial question of how manufacturers will be affected looms heavily over small companies. If done right, the FDA will be able to approve new manufacturers without charging hefty unreasonable approval fees. Such a strategy would choke small businesses and favor larger industries that could easily step in and take over the whole market.
Even with a set date for their commenting period, no one from the FDA can answer the question of when they will complete and initiate the first phase of regulation. The public input can sway the direction in which the e-cigarette industry is headed, and with many conflicted interests, the battle has been fought hard on both ends. Professional opinion suggests that we are far from a final ruling on vaporizers and that the battle will most likely be settled in court. For the moment, it is up to the American public and involved members of the community to express your comments to the FDA’s board until August 8th and continually remain involved in the prosperity and safe development of smokeless cigarettes.