Dear Stephanie,
It is our organization's stance that all products containing nicotine, which is classified as a drug, should be regulated by the FDA. We support the use of FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies and other FDA-approved cessation medications because they have undergone rigorous scientific review for their safety and efficacy. While we're happy that you were able to quit smoking regular cigarettes with e-cigarettes, the device still lacks the scientific evidence to show that they are both safe and effective. If, as the manufacturers claim, these products are safer than regular cigarettes in delivering nicotine, they should go through the FDA approval process for proof to substantiate these claims. Until there is scientific evidence supporting its safety and efficacy, we cannot support its use as a cessation device.
The World Health Organization has issued an advisory on e-cigarettes, warning that they are not considered a legitimate therapy for smokers trying to quit:
The electronic cigarette is not a proven nicotine replacement therapy," said Dr Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General of WHO's Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster. "WHO has no scientific evidence to confirm the product's safety and efficacy. Its marketers should immediately remove from their web sites and other informational materials any suggestion that WHO considers it to be a safe and effective smoking cessation aid."
WHO | Marketers of electronic cigarettes should halt unproved therapy claims
Since E-cigarettes are drug delivery devices, they should fall under the FDA's purview. This is why we are calling on the FDA to assert its authority to regulate the product. Our organization also advocates for giving the FDA the authority to regulate all tobacco products. Despite being the deadliest product sold in America, tobacco products are among the least regulated products sold in America. They are exempt from basic health regulations that apply to other consumer products, such as food, drugs and even lipstick. Current proposed legislation would allow the FDA, among other things, to regulate all health-related claims about tobacco products to ensure they are scientifically proven and do not discourage current tobacco users from quitting or encourage new users to start.
Kind regards,
Jessica Kuehne
Research Associate
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
1400 Eye Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
202-481-9320
www.tobaccofreekids.org
Anyone want to join me in writing to this organization? Boy, am I going to have fun responding to this one.
Stephanie
It is our organization's stance that all products containing nicotine, which is classified as a drug, should be regulated by the FDA. We support the use of FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies and other FDA-approved cessation medications because they have undergone rigorous scientific review for their safety and efficacy. While we're happy that you were able to quit smoking regular cigarettes with e-cigarettes, the device still lacks the scientific evidence to show that they are both safe and effective. If, as the manufacturers claim, these products are safer than regular cigarettes in delivering nicotine, they should go through the FDA approval process for proof to substantiate these claims. Until there is scientific evidence supporting its safety and efficacy, we cannot support its use as a cessation device.
The World Health Organization has issued an advisory on e-cigarettes, warning that they are not considered a legitimate therapy for smokers trying to quit:
The electronic cigarette is not a proven nicotine replacement therapy," said Dr Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General of WHO's Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster. "WHO has no scientific evidence to confirm the product's safety and efficacy. Its marketers should immediately remove from their web sites and other informational materials any suggestion that WHO considers it to be a safe and effective smoking cessation aid."
WHO | Marketers of electronic cigarettes should halt unproved therapy claims
Since E-cigarettes are drug delivery devices, they should fall under the FDA's purview. This is why we are calling on the FDA to assert its authority to regulate the product. Our organization also advocates for giving the FDA the authority to regulate all tobacco products. Despite being the deadliest product sold in America, tobacco products are among the least regulated products sold in America. They are exempt from basic health regulations that apply to other consumer products, such as food, drugs and even lipstick. Current proposed legislation would allow the FDA, among other things, to regulate all health-related claims about tobacco products to ensure they are scientifically proven and do not discourage current tobacco users from quitting or encourage new users to start.
Kind regards,
Jessica Kuehne
Research Associate
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
1400 Eye Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
202-481-9320
www.tobaccofreekids.org
Anyone want to join me in writing to this organization? Boy, am I going to have fun responding to this one.
Stephanie
