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.

“We also urge the FDA to ban marketing practices that enhance the appeal of these products. The only way to prevent another generation from developing nicotine dependence is to continue to raise awareness that these products are harmful and powerfully addictive. The AMA is committed to keeping tobacco products out of the hands of young people, and we will continue to advocate for more stringent policies that will help protect our nation’s youth from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

“The AMA also has long-standing policy in support of banning menthol in combustible tobacco products and we look forward to providing input on the FDA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking such a ban. We urge the FDA to move forward quickly in releasing and finalizing this proposal.”