AMA statement on FDA plan to prevent youth access to flavored tobacco

Statement attributable to:
Barbara L. McAneny, MD
President, American Medical Association

“We applaud today’s announcement by the FDA of its plan to make harmful tobacco products, particularly flavored e-cigarettes and cigars, less accessible and less appealing to our nation’s youth. With the sobering news that e-cigarette use has risen dramatically amongst young people in the last year alone, it is clear sweeping reforms are necessary to reverse this trend. The FDA’s proposed plan to limit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in age-restricted, in-person locations and, if sold online, under heightened practices for age verification, is a step in the right direction. However, AMA policy calls for the FDA to go a step further and prohibit the use of flavoring agents in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. With flavored e-cigarette products still available on the market, it will be important to continue to closely monitor youth access.