Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
FDA Rule Extends Authority to Include E-Cigarettes
FDA news release; 2016 May 5
The FDA has finalized a rule extending its authority to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco and pipe tobacco, among others. This rule helps implement the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 and allows the FDA to improve public health and protect future generations from the dangers of tobacco use through a variety of steps, including restricting the sale of these tobacco products to minors worldwide.
Prior to this final ruling, there was no federal law prohibiting retailers from selling e-cigarettes, hookah tobacco or cigars to people under age 18. The ruling changes that with provisions aimed at restricting youth access, which go into effect on August 8, 2016, including:
• Not allowing products to be sold to persons under the age of 18 years (both in person and online).
• Requiring age verification by photo ID.
• Not allowing the selling of covered tobacco products in vending machines (unless in an adult-only facility).
• Not allowing the distribution of free samples.
FDA takes significant steps to protect Americans from dangers of tobacco through new regulation. FDA Web site. May 5, 2016. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm499234.htm. Accessed May 9, 2016.
The rate of current use for e-cigarettes in high school has increased from rare use at 1.5% of students in 2011 to being commonly used, 16% of students in 2015.1 Given the increasing use of e-cigarettes this FDA regulation is a welcome public health accomplishment. We should all also support this effort in our offices to be clear to both adults and children that e-cigarettes, while clearly attractive to many, may not be safe for any. —Neil Skolnik, MD
1. Singh T, Arrazola RA, Corey CG, et al. Tobacco use among middle and high school students—United States, 2011–2015. [Published online ahead of print April 15, 2016]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65:361–367. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6514a1.