Trump Administration is Right to Remove Flavored E-Cigarettes from the Market

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 11, 2019 — “We agree with President Trump’s comments expressing deep concern about the epidemic of youth using electronic cigarettes, and we are pleased his administration is now taking urgent steps to remove flavored e-cigarettes, which have addicted millions of youth and adolescents to nicotine and jeopardized their short- and long-term health, from the market.

“JUUL and other e-cigarette companies have preyed upon youth and adolescents with million-dollar marketing campaigns and thousands of appealing flavors that are proven to attract kids. These companies did this knowing that nicotine is an addictive drug that rewires the developing brain and poses significant health risks to e-cigarette users.

“We don’t yet know the full impact of e-cigarette use on public health, but we do know that e-cigarette companies have done real harm to a generation of children.

“Research released this week by the American Heart Association shows that flavors motivate individuals to start using e-cigarettes and to more often report feeling addicted to e-cigarettes.

“Federal officials should immediately remove all flavored e-cigarettes from the market. They should also take other necessary measures to end all marketing to children, prohibit online sales of e-cigarettes, exercise rigorous pre-market review and closely review e-cigarette products already on the market.”

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About the American Heart Association