FDA Announces Plans for Radical Overhaul of US Tobacco Control Policies, Possible de facto Bans on Nicotine and Menthol

From: FDA Center for Tobacco Products

FDA announces comprehensive regulatory plan to shift trajectory of tobacco-related disease, death
Agency to pursue lowering nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels and create more predictability in tobacco regulation

***

The FDA plans to begin a public dialogue about lowering nicotine levels in combustible cigarettes to non-addictive levels through achievable product standards. The agency intends to issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to seek input on the potential public health benefits and any possible adverse effects of lowering nicotine in cigarettes. Because almost 90 percent of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18 and nearly 2,500 youth smoke their first cigarette every day in the U.S., lowering nicotine levels could decrease the likelihood that future generations become addicted to cigarettes and allow more currently addicted smokers to quit.

Vaping takes a hit: Judge rules in favor of FDA in historic Nicopure lawsuit

From: Vapes.com

Posted by Matt Rowland

Just two short days after the FDA deeming regulations were first announced in May of 2016, e-liquid manufacturer Nicopure Labs immediately filed a lawsuit in federal court. Vaping advocacy groups around the world have been watching the case travel through the judicial process, eagerly awaiting the outcome.  Last Friday, Judge Amy Berman Jackson published her ruling.

Why regulating e-cigs and smokeless tobacco differently is illogical

From: VapingPost

By Diane Caruana

The FDA is infamous for having regulated all “tobacco products” including all known safer alternatives such as vaping products, as their combustible counterparts. Dr. Dorothy Hatsukami, a renowned tobacco researcher and author of a significant amount of published articles sent a letter to Scott Gottlieb commending him for his openness towards harm reduction, whilst urging him to regulate tobacco products according to their risks and “support informed choice through truthful communication of risk.”

Are Municipal Bans the Future of E-cigarette Regulation?

From: KVUE.com

Austin’s e-cigarette ban goes into effect

AUSTIN – The City of Austin’s smoking ordinance now includes e-cigarettes and vaping, less than two weeks after the city council amended it.

Monday, July 3, the refined ordinance took effect – meaning e-cigarettes are now also banned from public spaces including city buildings, workplaces, restaurants, parks and more.

Read Complete Article