Much-needed move will save vapor industry from decimation in 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the American Vaping Association reacted to a landmark announcement from Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), on the future of tobacco and nicotine regulation in the United States.
Among the announcements:
- Delay of PMTA deadline — In a major change in policy, manufacturers of non-combustible products like vapor products now have until August 8, 2022 to submit their premarket tobacco applications (PMTA).
- Product standards — FDA plans to issue product standards for vapor products “to protect against known public health risks.”
- Process clarity — FDA will issue new “foundational rules” to modify the product review process.
- Flavors — FDA will study the effects of flavors, both on young people and adult smokers looking for a less harmful alternative.
- Reduced-nicotine cigarettes — FDA will begin a public dialogue on the impact of reducing nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels.
Gregory Conley, President of the American Vaping Association, commented:
“To say the least, we are relieved by Dr. Gottlieb’s announcement. Without Dr. Gottlieb’s leadership, over 99% of vapor products on the market today would have been banned in fifteen months’ time.
“This is by no means a perfect fix. The FDA’s deeming rule still bans any innovation in the market and, without major changes to the agency’s premarket review process, could still result in the vast majority of the market being banned in 2022. If Dr. Gottlieb truly wants to reduce death and disease in the long-term, today’s announcement must be the first step of many in reforming the FDA regulatory process.
“While we are concerned that the FDA may be going down the wrong path with its focus on flavors and reduced-nicotine cigarettes, we are going to celebrate today and get back to fighting bad policy tomorrow.”
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About the American Vaping Association
The American Vaping Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies that encourage the growth and sustainability of small- and medium-sized businesses in the rapidly growing vaping and electronic cigarette industry. The AVA was founded by Gregory Conley, a consumer and industry advocate with a long track record of advocating for vapor products dating back to 2010.
We are dedicated to educating the public and government officials about public health benefits offered by vapor products, which are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine or nicotine-free solution and create an inhalable vapor. The AVA is not a trade group and does not speak for any particular businesses, including our industry sponsors.
You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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