Anonymous,
Flavored e-cigarettes helped hook a new generation on nicotine. Now they're on their way out, thanks in part to the action of supporters like you.
Last week, the White House took a major step toward safeguarding our kids from nicotine addiction by announcing its intention to take flavored e-cigarettes off the market.[1] Going forward, e-cigarette companies will have to apply for approval for their flavored products, and prove that their product benefits public health.[2] The announcement comes under the shadow of another surge in teen vaping this year.
Last year, we witnessed an explosion in teen vaping. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a nearly 80 percent increase in teen e-cigarette use, prompting the Surgeon General to declare youth vaping an epidemic.[3,4] This week preliminary data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey show that more than one in four high school students reported vaping in 2019, another staggering increase.[5]
The major draw for kids? Flavored products -- anything from mango and mint to crême brulée. It's a play taken straight from the tobacco company playbook -- and it's been alarmingly effective.[6]
According to the FDA's own analysis, 70 percent of youth who vaped said they did so because the products came in flavors they liked.[7] Many don't even realize they're inhaling nicotine, which can impair brain development and contribute to mood disorders in young people, as well as increase the likelihood that teens will start smoking combustible cigarettes.[8]
For months, U.S. PIRG and our national network, along with partner groups in the health and medical communities, have been working to end the nicotine trap. Our staff spotlighted the issue in the media, advocated for flavored e-cigarette bans in the halls of power, and called on the FDA to improve e-cigarette oversight. And we've been getting results.
This summer, Congress began its investigation of Juul Labs, the country's top e-cigarette company, where lawmakers unearthed Juul's kid-focused marketing strategy.[9] Then, on Sept. 4, Michigan became the first state to protect its youth with a ban on flavored e-cigarettes.[10] Now, the White House's forthcoming national action will help shield millions of kids from nicotine addiction.
Thousands of supporters like you joined us in raising the call to take flavored e-cigarettes off the market -- and now, we're seeing federal action that will help stem teen nicotine addiction. Thank you.
Next, the FDA will announce its plan for removing flavored e-cigarette products in the coming weeks -- and U.S. PIRG will be there every step of the way to make sure it's a strong one.
Thank you for making this win possible,
Faye Park
President
P.S. Our campaign to end the nicotine trap wouldn't be possible without donations from supporters like you. By donating to U.S. PIRG, you can help us to continue advocating on behalf of the public interest, wherever decisions are being made that affect your health, safety or wellbeing.
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1. Sheila Kaplan, "Trump Administration Plans to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes," New York Times, September 11, 2019.
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2. Julia Belluz, "Trump's cracking down on flavored vapes -- but leaving flavored cigarettes on the market," Vox, September 12, 2019.
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3. Michael Nedelman, "High school e-cigarette use has jumped nearly 80%. Now, the FDA wants new regulations," CNN, November 15, 2018.
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4. Rob Stein, "Surgeon General Warns Youth Vaping Is Now An 'Epidemic,'" NPR, December 18, 2018.
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5. Angelica LaVito, "CDC says teen vaping surges to more than 1 in 4 high school students," CNBC, September 12, 2019.
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6. "Economic and Consumer Policy Subcommittee Held Part I of Hearings on JUUL's Role in Youth Nicotine Addiction Epidemic," Committee on Oversight and Reform, July 24, 2019.
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7. Food and Drug Administration, "[Modifications to Compliance Policy for Certain Deemed Tobacco Products - Guidance for Industry [Draft]]([link removed])," Regulations.gov, March 14, 2019.
8. Maggie Fox and Erika Edwards, "More teens are vaping, and many think it's nicotine-free," NBC News, December 17, 2018.
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9. "Economic and Consumer Policy Subcommittee Held Part I of Hearings on JUUL's Role in Youth Nicotine Addiction Epidemic," Committee on Oversight and Reform, July 24, 2019.
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10. Laurie McGinley, "Michigan becomes first state to ban flavored e-cigarettes," Washington Post, September 4, 2019.
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