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VIDEO: Leone: FDA regulating e-cigarettes reduces ‘potential for harm;’ ACP applauds decision

WASHINGTON – Following the FDA’s announcement that it was extending its regulatory authority to include e-cigarettes, hookahs, pipe tobacco, cigars, and other products, the American College of Physicians issued a statement endorsing the decision.

“The American College of Physicians is extremely pleased that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule and will be extending their regulatory authority to include all forms of tobacco products, which will help improve public health and restrict the sale of tobacco products to minors,” ACP President Wayne J. Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP, said in the statement. “As ACP stated in its 2015 policy paper, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, access and use of these products has exploded in the last few years in the U.S. and abroad. ACP has been concerned that without sufficient regulations young people can easily access these products. There are also concerns about quality control in the nicotine yields of products and in the accuracy of product labels. ACP supports the FDA extending regulations to all forms of tobacco products which pose a major public health threat now and to the health of future generations. Looking beyond today’s rule, ACP believes the FDA should take further swift action to prohibit flavored tobacco products that are particularly appealing to young people.”

In a related commentary, Frank Leone, MD, MS, Director of the Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program in the University of Pennsylvania Health System, said that the FDA’s involvement in regulating e-cigarettes meant that the “potential for harm to the community would be reduced and the ability to reap the ... potential benefits from e-cigarettes would be maximized.”

For more information:

Crowley RA. Ann Intern Med. 2015;doi:10.7326/M14-2481.

Disclosure: Riley and Leone reported no relevant financial disclosures.