Look what I got from my Senator today. Smells like
View attachment 871901 to me.
Dear Mr. Bond:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about vaping. I appreciate hearing from you.
On January 2, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a policy prioritizing enforcement against certain unauthorized flavored e-cigarette products that appeal to minors, including fruit and mint flavors. This policy will ban the sale of flavored vape pods and cartridges, excluding tobacco and menthol flavors. Under this new policy, the sale of flavored e-cigarette liquids used in “open-tank” vaping systems will not be banned.
President Trump, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar, and FDA Commissioner Hahn took this step as part of the Administration’s youth tobacco and nicotine use prevention plan. Over the last few years, there have been stark increases in youth nicotine initiation, particularly using Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) products. I fully support the goal of reducing youth nicotine use and addiction. That said, I want to be sure that federal policies are scientifically sound and do not result in unintended consequences that could limit choices for adult consumers trying to transition from traditional tobacco products, particularly menthol products, or create an illicit market for products that do not utilize good manufacturing practices.
A number of youth tobacco prevention measures have been put into place under President Trump’s Administration, and I think it would be valuable to provide sufficient time to monitor the effectiveness of those efforts. I have personally spoken to President Trump about this issue and will continue to closely monitor the Administration’s actions pertaining to vapor products and youth nicotine use.
Another unrelated issue pertaining to vapor products has recently garnered national attention. There has been an alarming rise in vapor related lung disease and death. It is important to note that the illnesses and deaths are believed to be linked to the use of vapor products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a derivative of marijuana with psychoactive characteristics. Scientists from HHS and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have been actively researching the specific, scientific cause of these deaths. Please know that I will continue working to ensure that these agencies are fully equipped with the resources necessary to find the common thread that links these deaths.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again about other important issues.
Sincerely,
Thom Tillis
U.S. Senator