WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) — Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D) called out
tobacco companies Thursday, stating they are delaying the Food and Drug Administration's efforts to regulate e-cigarettes and cigars.
Citing a statistic that hundreds of Americans die prematurely every year due to
tobacco use, Sen. Brown said "Big Tobacco" has a need to attract new customers, and he believes those new customers are younger than they should be.
His concern is marketing used by e-cigarette companies, that use colors and flavors to "attract young people."
"Every day of delay, for these rules to stop them from targeting our children is millions of dollars more in profit," he said.
Brown said tobacco companies are fighting the FDA's proposed rule and delaying it with lobbyists and lawyers.
"Time is their friend and we've got to fight back."