prohibition has never worked, whether it is with cannabis or alcohol
or drugs.”
Vape advocates believe that not only would a federal flavour ban
put vape stores out of business but it would play into the hands of
Big Tobacco which could most easily survive and prosper in a vape
industry where only tobacco and menthol flavours were allowed.
The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) described Trump’s proposed
ban as “misguided” and described flavoured vaping products as “one
of the most effective smoking cessation tools on the market.”
The VTA said: “There has been no indication that industry standard
nicotine-containing vapor products are to blame for recent cases of
lung illness. In fact, FDA investigators found that cannabis or THC
products were likely the cause.
“Banning flavors would be a public health travesty. More than two
million Americans have died from cigarette smoking-related illnesses
over the last fi ve years. If a federal flavor ban is enacted, more than
10 million adults will be forced to choose between smoking again or
fi nding what they want and need on the black market.
“We urge this administration to change course before millions of
Americans are forced to switch back to deadly cigarettes, small
businesses around the country are forced to close their doors, and
tens of thousands of people are laid off.”
VPZ, the UK’s largest retailer of vaping products, said the US needs
a stricter testing and regulatory framework for its e-cigarette
“If a federal fl avour ban is enacted,
more than 10 million adults must
choose between smoking again or
fi nding what they need on the black
market.”
industry but not a blanket flavour ban.
Doug Mutter, compliance director at VPZ, said: “The plans
announced by President Trump do not make any sense. There is
no strict testing and regulation landscape in the US, and this has
led to a prevalence of inferior and home-made products that don’t
meet minimum safety standards.”
US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said that
flavoured vape products - including mint and menthol products -
could be fast-tracked for pre-market reviews “within weeks.”
He said: “The Trump Administration is making it clear that we intend
to clear the market of flavoured e-cigarettes to reverse the deeply
concerning epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that is impacting
children, families, schools and communities.”
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