White House Flavored E-Cigarettes Plan Falls Far Short

Statement of American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer in response to the new federal guidance on flavored e-cigarette products:

“The Trump Administration plan on flavored e-cigarettes falls far short of what is needed to protect the health of our nation’s youth. Keeping menthol-flavored Juul and thousands of flavors of e-cigarettes sold in vape shops on the market will continue to addict kids. The American Lung Association is sad to see an industry-supported approach take precedence over our kids’ lung health.

“We know that children will obtain flavored products at vape shops. A JAMA Pediatrics study released in 2019 found that 45% of vape shops in California sold e-cigarettes to minors. This new plan is riddled with loopholes and will leave children unprotected. It also fails to support parents, teachers, coaches and other adults striving to protect children from falling prey to addiction, disease and death caused by tobacco products.

“We urge Congress, as well as state and local governments to act to close these loopholes and eliminate ALL flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars and hookah. We will also continue to warn the public about the health risks associated with e-cigarette use and vaping. The Lung Association is committed to redoubling our efforts at the federal, state and local levels for meaningful action to reduce youth tobacco use.”

Learn more about e-cigarettes and lung health at Lung.org/ecigs. For media interested in speaking with an expert about e-cigarettes, tobacco use and lung health, contact Stephanie Goldina at the American Lung Association at Media@Lung.org or 312-801-7629.