Statement from José Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vital Strategies, on the Trump Administration’s Decision to Ban Flavored E-cigarettes:
“We welcome the announcement that the Trump Administration is planning to remove flavored e-cigarettes from the market to stem the youth vaping crisis in the United States. Kid-friendly flavors have contributed to the nearly 80% rise in vaping among U.S. high school students between 2017 and 2018. By failing to take swift action before now to regulate these products, policy makers have allowed e-cigarette companies to mislead consumers about the health benefits of their products and hook a new generation of America’s kids and teens with sweet and fruity flavors. The government needs to act swiftly with a regulatory approach that is comprehensive and permanent.
“Truly comprehensive regulation is essential to safeguard the health of all Americans and protect our progress toward a tobacco-free generation.”
“It’s worrying that in his comments today the Health Secretary Alex Azar left the door open for flavored products to be reintroduced in the future. Our children’s health deserves a long-term solution, not a temporary fix. And news of a sixth vaping-related death reminds us that flavored e-cigarettes are just one of many issues demonstrating the potential deadly harms of e-cigarettes. Truly comprehensive regulation is essential to safeguard the health of all Americans and protect our progress toward a tobacco-free generation.”