The message that bold action must be taken to prevent e-cigarettes from addicting a generation of children to nicotine was delivered to the White House on Friday by AMA President Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA.
“If e-cigarettes, in fact, help adults quit smoking, then the manufacturers should submit the evidence to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration),” Dr. Harris said. “Until then, we are asking the government to ban flavors, which has everything to do with placing another generation at risk of nicotine dependence.”
The AMA, the American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other organizations urged the Trump Administration to follow through with the plan it announced in September to clear the market of all flavored e-cigarettes—including mint and menthol.
“There is no time to waste as the youth e-cigarette epidemic continues to get worse and more than 5 million kids now use e-cigarettes,” the AMA and seven other organizations say in a joint statement. “The evidence is clear that flavored products have fueled this epidemic as most youth e-cigarette users report using flavored products and cite flavors as a key reason for their use.
Last year, the AMA declared e-cigarette use and vaping an urgent public health epidemic.
“For decades, we have led the public health fight to combat the harmful effects of tobacco products, and we will continue to support policies and regulations aimed at preventing another generation from becoming dependent on nicotine,” Dr. Harris said.
Learn more about the AMA’s work on e-cigarettes and vaping.
Other organizations attending the White House meeting included: the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, Truth Initiative, Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes (PAVe), and American Academy of Family Physicians.
