AMA expands anti-tobacco policies to further protect youth

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md — Furthering its longtime commitment to preventing tobacco use amongst youth, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted new policies at its Interim Meeting aimed at making e-cigarettes less appealing to youth. Recognizing the use of e-cigarettes and vaping as an urgent public health epidemic, the AMA will actively work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other relevant stakeholders to counteract the marketing and use of addictive e-cigarette and vaping devices—including but not limited to bans and strict restrictions on marketing to minors under the age of 21.

“The AMA is committed to keeping harmful tobacco products out of the hands of young people and we will continue to urge the FDA to ban flavors, as well as marketing practices, that enhance the appeal of these products to youth,” said Albert J. Osbahr, III, M.D., a member of the AMA Board of Trustees. “We believe more stringent policies will help protect our nation’s youth from the harmful effects of tobacco use.”